Why are potato latkes a traditional Jewish Hanukkah food? Do they relate to any historical events/traditions?

Question

Many other Jewish traditions are tied to historical events. Potato latkes are a very traditional Jewish food at Hanukkah ... do they have any historical significance?

Answer 1

http://www.zuzu.org/rec2.html
Potato Latkes
This favorite is always a crowd pleaser during Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Oil was burned in the original menorahs and now plays an important symbolic role in many fried foods.

OR in
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latkes
Though commonly associated with the Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine of Eastern Europe, they are not necessarily Jewish in origin. Areas like northeast Poland, for instance, know many varieties. A favorite Polish dish is placki węgierskie (placki po węgiersku) — potato pancakes stuffed with a thick, spicy Hungarian goulash. Latkes are traditionally eaten during the Jewish Hanukkah festival although they play no fundamental part in Hanukkah ritual. The custom probably evolved because of the preference for eating fried foods during the festival that celebrates a miracle involving oil in the Temple of ancient Israel. Variants include cheese, apple, zucchini, spinach, leek, and rice latkes.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why are potato latkes a traditional Jewish Hanukkah food? Do they relate to any historical events/traditions?
Many other Jewish traditions are tied to historical events. Potato latkes are a very traditional Jewish food at Hanukkah ... do they have any historical significance?

Answer 3

There really is no significance other than family tradition. The real significance is the keeping of the lights - retelling the tale and celebrating the miracle of the oil. Foods are fried to celebrate the extension of the oil while new oil could be made. In many homes its not Latkes but a type of donut, called sufganiya. Dairy also plays a big role in honor of the memory of Judith who defeated the Syrian general by seducing with wine and cheese then when he was intoxicated she decapitated him. Hope this helped.

Answer 4

Fried foods, esp. in olive oil. Latkes are typically served with sour cream and/or applesauce. Not dipped, but spread, as they are usually almost impossible to pick up whole. sufganiyot - jelly donuts. You can make latkes out of many different vegetables, not just potatoes. chocolate gelt - chocolate coins in gold foil. non-alcoholic drinks? Anything, really...but grape juice, when saying the prayer over wine. "Jewish" foods would be something else entirely.

Answer 5

the frying of latkes whether potatoes, sweet potatoes, zuchinni
etc. symbolizes the oil that lasted for eight days...No one thought
that a little oil that was found in the temple would last that long,but it did.
We also deep fry jelly filled donuts. symbolicly for the same reason

Devoted hit it right on the head, with a little history which is lovely.