Healthy for the Holidays: Traditional Chanukah Foods with a Twist

Are you set on staying healthy for the holidays? It’s that time of year again–Chanukah, my favorite holiday! This year, I’ve decided to take a different approach with our Chanukah blog. Typically, we focus on the history and story of the holiday: the spirit of rebellion, spiritual renewal, and the lessons we learn. While that’s always meaningful, this year, I’m combining two of my favorite things: healthy cooking and Chanukah.

This blog includes a few of my favorite traditional Chanukah dishes–just for fun! This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy your classic recipes, with all their usual ingredients. These are simply alternative versions to inspire something new to try over the 8 nights of celebration and perhaps help us stay healthy for the holidays.

The spirit of giving and togetherness is something the team at GrantWatch also shares and to complement the recipes I’m sharing, we’ll also share some of our favorite grants. These are specifically focused on benefiting the Jewish community in honor of Chanukah.

Modern Recipes for Traditional Dished to Keep You Healthy for the Holidays

Latkes: Golden Brown & Delicious:

Latkes are one of those foods that everyone knows. The reason behind eating them may be less well known. We eat latkes fried (or sautéed) in oil to symbolize the miracle of one day’s worth of oil lasting 8 days. They’re delicious, and also very filling.

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes or zucchini (grated)
• 1 small onion (grated)
• 2 tablespoons almond flour or coconut flour
• 1 egg or flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water)
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Preparation:

1. Preparation:
2. Squeeze excess moisture from the grated vegetables.
3. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
4. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of avocado oil or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
5. Shape the mixture into small patties and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
6. Place cooked latkes on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.

Serving Suggestion: Pair with a side of homemade applesauce.

Chocolate Coins:

Chocolate gelt, or coins, is traditionally given to children during Chanukah to commemorate the coins used by the Maccabees as they regained control of Jerusalem. Gelt and the dreidel game go hand in hand as a fun Hanukkah tradition. The dreidel game originally had a clever twist: it was used to hide Torah study during times of persecution, making it look like people were just playing a casual game. These days, chocolate coins are playful prizes, symbolizing the “gelt” (money) kids used to get for studying Torah. It’s a fun way to celebrate and keep the tradition alive!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cacao powder
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons honey or monk fruit syrup
• A pinch of sea salt

Preparation:

1. Melt the coconut oil and mix with cacao powder, sweetener, and salt.
2. Pour into coin-shaped molds and freeze until solid.

Guilt-Free Sufganiyot: Baked and Lightened-Up

One of the most delightful Chanukah treats is Sufganiyot, or jelly doughnuts! While they are also meant to represent the miracle of of oil that burned for eight days, try this baked version for a healthier alternative. While they won’t have the same deep-fried crispiness, baked sufganiyot are still soft, fluffy, and delicious, offering a lighter texture that many find just as satisfying. The baking process also brings out subtle flavors in the dough that can sometimes be masked by frying.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups almond flour
• ¼ cup coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 eggs or egg substitutes
• ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Sugar-free jam for filling

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a donut pan.
2. Mix all dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Combine until smooth.
3. Spoon the batter into the pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
4. Once cooled, use a piping bag to fill the donuts with sugar-free jam.

Brisket That Your Mom Will Love

Brisket is a common food in Jewish households, and is so delicious when slow cooked over several hours. On a personal note it’s something I’ve been working hard to perfect for years. It’s a great main dish for your holiday meal, and can bring family and friends together on Chanukah, which is the whole point of the holidays. Historically it was popular because it was an economical but kosher choice of meat.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds grass-fed beef brisket
• 1 large onion (sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup beef broth
• ½ cup sugar-free tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Herbs: thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the brisket on all sides.
3. Transfer to a roasting pan with onions and garlic.
4. Mix broth, tomato sauce, and vinegar, then pour over the brisket.
5. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours, basting occasionally, until tender.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with roasted vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts for a nutrient-packed side dish.

We hope you enjoy these fun, healthy, recipes, and that you have an amazing holiday!

Happy Chanukah from all of us here at GrantWatch!

Give your organization the gift of GrantWatch this holiday season! Sign up for a paid subscription to GrantWatch and get access to grants like the ones we’re sharing today:

1. Anti-Hunger Advocacy Activities: Up to $15,000 to nonprofit and faith-based organizations for anti-hunger advocacy activities.
2. Preserve Jewish Art, Culture: Grants to nonprofits and synagogues to preserve Jewish institutions and Jewish culture.
3. Manuscripts with Jewish Themes: Awards up to $10,000 to recognize new outstanding manuscripts appropriate for children.
4. Support Holocaust Survivors: Grants to organizations that provide services for elderly Holocaust survivors.
5. Activities Related to the Holocaust: Grant funding to nonprofits for educational activities related to the Holocaust.
6. Capital Projects in Jewish Communities: Grants to nonprofits for a wide range of projects and programs that benefit Jewish communities.
7. Promote Wellbeing Among Youth: Grants and in-kind services to local and national organizations to promote wellbeing among youth.
8. Volunteer in Israel During the Current Crisis: Opportunity for individuals to volunteer their services in Israel during the current crisis.

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