Mouthwatering Holiday Foods from Around the World

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Latkes - Israel

Originally, latkes (potato pancakes) were made of fried cheese because sometime before the Maccabean Revolt, Judith fed wine and cheese to the Assyrian general. Once he fell into a drunken slumber, she beheaded him, brought his head to her people, and the larger attack was launched. The oil the latkes are fried in, as well as the Chanukkah Menorah  recall the oil which lasted eight days while the Maccabees restored the Temple of Jerusalem; the oil was only supposed to last one day. The switch to potatoes instead of cheese was made in the Middle Ages, as Ashkenazi Jews were forced to plant potatoes because of crop failure. Get the recipe here.