Growing up, my Dad used to get us doughnuts from the bakery on Sundays. Boston cream and jelly. They’re still my favorite doughnuts.
I had no idea doughnuts were traditional for Hanukkah until we started celebrating with a friend – when asked what we could bring, that’s what she suggested. For the first few years, I was too afraid to actually attempt them myself – we just made a trip to the bakery.
For the last few years, we’ve had a special addition to our Christmas season – celebrating Hanukkah with our good friends. That may seem strange, but it’s been such a blessing! As Christians, it’s humbling to get an authentic, up close look at some of the traditions and prayers Jesus would have participated in.
Our friends have been gracious enough to include us in their celebration and humor me in my attempts to make some of the traditional food. Latkes, of course, are a Hanukkah staple and these are just perfect – crisp on the outside and the lemon and thyme give them a bright, fresh taste.