The traditions of Chanukah are not as healthy for the waistline as they are for the spirit. One of the most common traditions of the holiday is to eat foods fried in oil to commemorate the miracle that took place on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev two thousand years ago. The Greeks had ruled over the Jews for many years, not letting them observe their religious practices or study the Torah. The Greeks had even gone as far as to defile the Holy Temple, pillaging it and destroying everything inside.
After a Jewish rebellion led by the Maccabees defeated the Greek rulers, the Jews went back to re-dedicate the Temple but only found one whole jug of oil with the High Priest's seal needed to light the holy Menorah [seven-branched candelabrum]. The one jug of oil lasted eight days, just long enough to produce more holy oil with which to keep the Menorah lit.
The two most common foods eaten on Chanukah to remember the miracle of the holiday are a dieter's worst nightmare: latkes - potato pancakes fried in oil, and sufganiyot - jelly filled doughnuts.
"Many people are surprised to learn that when oil is this hot [around 180 C or 350 F], the food doesn't absorb much oil," says Howard McGee, author of "On Food and Cooking." "This is partly because oil and water don't mix well, and most foods are about 80 percent water. When the surface of the food gets up to the temperature of the oil, which happens quickly, the surface starts boiling off its water, and that means the surface begins to dry out, which is the crust."
However, when latkes and sufganiyot cool, the oil begins to settle into the food. Food begins to absorb oil immediately, including oil left of the surface, because "the water vapor inside the food begins to contract and sucks oil into nooks and crannies," McGee says. Blotting the food after frying it is the best way to prevent this absorption.
Keeping the oil at the proper temperature will also minimize or even eliminate oil absorption in the food. The staff at Cooks Illustrated magazine conducted an experiment several years ago to determine how much oil was absorbed by food during frying. Rebecca Hays, managing editor of the magazine, says that "there was exactly as much oil in the pan after frying as before." Each experiment afterwards showed the same results to the shock of the staff.
Liza Schoenfein, editor of Jewish Living magazine, says that people forget that Chanukah is not about the deep-frying, but about the oil itself. "The tradition of incorporating oil into the meal can be made modern by drizzling a flavorful, beautiful olive oil onto steamed vegetables or fish," Schoenfein suggests.
However, if one wants to enjoy Chanukah without deep-frying their food, there are alternatives out there.
Elaine Magee, author of the cookbook "Fry Right, Fry Light," says that potato latkes can be made with a light amount of oil in a non-stick skillet instead of being deep-fried in a pot. She also says that latkes can be browned, then baked. In addition, latkes can be baked in the oven, but finished under the broiler to add color and crisp to the traditional Chanukah treat.
It is important not only to keep your arteries clean on Chanukah but also to keep the menorah [nine-branched candelabrum] clean from the wax of melting candles. The menorah [chanukiya in Hebrew], which also serves as the national symbol of Israel, is crucial to the Chanukah holiday. Olive oil or candles are lit in it each night of Chanukah, increasing the amount of candles as each day passes. These candles represent the miracle of the oil lasting eight days during the Temple times.
For glass holders in menorahs, a small amount of water in the bottom of the candle holders prior to placing the candle inside keeps the melted wax from sticking. Rubbing a thin coat of olive oil before placing the candles inside also has the same effect. If the wax is already on the glass, there are two options. It can be placed in a plastic container of warm water to loosen the wax, or it can be placed in the freezer for several hours and the wax can be pried off with a spoon or butter knife. After either method, wash the menorah in hot, soapy water to remove any residue.
A silver menorah also can be placed in the freezer for several hours. Scrape away the wax with a plastic spatula until no more wax can be removed. Wash the menorah in hot, soapy water, rinse in hot water, and wipe dry.
For any other material (some popular ones are brass and marble), place the menorah in the freezer for several hours to harden the wax. Afterwards, remove the wax with a butter knife, spoon, or credit card wrapped in a soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface.
Besides keeping bodies and menorahs clean and healthy during the holiday, Chanukah can help mental health as well.
At most rehabilitation clinics, menorahs cannot be lit at Chanukah time. However, in Wernersville, Pa., the Caron Treatment Center allows the ritual to be performed as part of the road to recovery for addicts.
Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yosef Lipsker has a strong connection to the rehabilitation clinic and to the patients there. He and his wife Chani frequently have Friday night dinners there to help the patients, Jewish and not-Jewish alike. With the addition of lighting the menorah, Rabbi Lipsker is bringing the Chanukah light "to Jewish men and women facing their darkest days."