Happy Chanukah

Potato Latkes

Last night was the first night of Chanukah. Larry and I have been attending so many holiday parties lately, that we just wanted to relax, sit, eat and stare at the wall. This means no cooking for Ellen. So, we zoomed up to our local deli, Canter's on Fairfax Avenue. We ordered the traditional latkes (potato pancakes) with sour cream and applesauce. Larry had a half of a pastrami sandwich and a cup of navy bean soup. I had a delicious stuffed bell pepper. It was a perfect meal, served quickly, so we could go home and stare at the wall and the lights on our menorah.


Traditionally, you are supposed to eat foods prepared with oil for the Festival of Lights. The story of Chanukah that explains many of the customs is here. Another popular food for this Festival of Lights is sufganiyot, or little jelly-filled doughnuts, fried in oil (of course). I became familiar with this custom later in life...it's a delicious Israeli or Middle-Eastern recipe.
When my cousins and I were children, Grandma and Grandpa Bloom would host a Chanukah party for all of us kids. After we multiplied, my Aunt Betty and Uncle Hi would host the party at their home. We're all very close in age, so there was a lot of running around and excitement. Aunt Betty made the very best latkes! She would deep-fry them! Yum! We fondly called them Kentucky-Fried Latkes!! Happy Chanukah!!

Chanukah, 1958 with the Bloom Cousins
Top Row:Kenny and Denny
Middle Row: Amie, Sasha, Grandma Ethel, Ellen, Barbara
Front Row: Barry, Carol