Conference turris::cooks

  Hanukah isn't as major an event in the Jewish religion as Christmas is
  in Christian religions, and doesn't have any traditional food
  associated with it (at least didn't in my family). That being the
  case, as long as you want to give something edible and traditionally
  Jewish, you could select one of many dishes of eastern European
  origin. Desserts are especially good bets. One of my favorites would
  be something like a hazelnut torte (typically austrian). I don't
  happen to have any good recipes, though, as my tastes run toward
  goyishe cuisine :-).

    The most we ever did for Hanukah food was potato latkes, and they
    aren't really something you wrap up and give someone.  Hanukah is
    one of the minor holidays in the Jewish calendar.  It's only gotten
    dolled up lately, as sort of a religious popularity contest with
    Christmas.
    
    If you want to start your own tradition, try making any of the 
    cookie-cutter cookies in the form of a 6-pointed star.  If the cookie
    is white, as in a sugar cookie, you could decorate it with light blue
    icing.  (note, don't use a 5 pointed star.  You can easily make a
    template for 6-pointed stars by making two equilateral triangles,
    standing one upsidedown, and pasting them together in the middle. 
    Then you can cut around them.)
    
    Honey cookies would be especially good, although honey is more a
    tradition for Rosh Hashana, which is earlier in the fall.  Now
    THAT and Yom Kippur (which has *no* cuisine) are major holidays!
    
    --Louise

    The Jewish Holiday Kitchen by Joan Nathan suggests five different
    Hanukah Menus:
    
    	o Friday Night Eastern European
    	o Moroccan
    	o Festive Central European
    	o Brunch
    	o and Dairy.
    
    The author provides recipes for a number of variations on Latkes
    (potato, zucchini/potato, potato/raisins/cinnamon, apple, and carrot),
    which have the most traditional meaning.  Fruit filled doughnuts and
    pastries are also common Hanukah desserts.

    There are also recipes in FOOD & WINE magazine.  
    
    One of my friends found some cookie cutters for the Star of David and
    for a dradle (SP?).  She made lots of cookies using blue and white
    frosting and food coloring.
    
    Also, one of this month's magazine recipes is for Rugalah (sp?), which
    are fantastic (and that's just the commercial ones).  
    
    You could further decorate a dish or tin of cookies with a dradle and
    some gelt (gold wrapped chocolate coins in net bags).  
    
    				-JP

    
    If you'd like to get something easy, buy "gelt" - chocolate coins
    wrapped with gold foil.  In the "old country," it was traditional that
    real coins (gelt = money) were slipped into the coat pockets of
    students.  Most kids nowadays still get their gelt in chocolate form. 
    My future in-laws gave some to me last year - it kind of brought me
    back, and made me feel like now it was really a Channukah.
    
    Also, the former mention of six-pointed star cookies is a great idea. 
    A little more appropriate than angels and Santa Clauses!  :-)
    
    Sarah
    
    P.S. - I was brought up to understand that latkes (potato pancakes)
    were the traditional Channukah food.  In Israel it's jelly donuts (both
    fried in oil to symbolize the oil that burned for eight days).
    

    So, anything fried in oil is symbolic, yes?  He he he, how about
    fried clams???
    
    (I know, I know.  My Grandma's Esther and Emma are turning in
    their graves!)
    
    --Louise