Eight Steps to a Meaningful Vegan Hanukkah and a Recipe

Sometimes ritual and tradition are what are hardest for us when choosing to go vegan.  As a gluten-free vegan, it is often a strawberry that is the only thing on the entire table that I can eat - a table laden with bagels, lox, cream cheese, herring, gefilte fish kugel and more. Bringing a dish to any celebration that exemplifies both tradition and your ideals can help bring to light the amazing food you eat.However, sometimes it can make us feel bogged down or feel frustration towards tradition.  Instead of that... lets make tradition work for us.  Lets make tradition more meaningful!

Six ways to make Hanukkah more meaningful for you.

1.  Bring a dish.There are a plethora of recipes online that have done the work for you. These vegan/gluten free Hanukkah jelly donuts look amazing and I am dying to try.  It looks amazing!2.  Make the connection between Hanukkah and Veganism.According to Chabad, the word Chanukah means dedication. Veganism is dedicated to compassion for the animals, the planet, and for our health. It requires a loving dedication. It takes dedication to hold onto ideals when others see them as strange or wrong. A dedication that follows your heart.3. Read the  story of Hanukkah and recognize the similarity of oppression to freedom and in the world.  Veganism in its truest forms faces oppression against animals and fights for their freedom. Freedom from massacre and pain; freedom from factory farming and sadness, filth, angst. It is a chance to celebrate that change can come about.4.  Light the menorah.Remember the miracle and all of the miracles. You are shedding light on a troublesome issue of excess, pain and torture. You are shedding a light on leading a life of compassion through example. As you remember the miracles of Hannukah also remember the miracles of all of the lives that you have saved.5. Play Dreidel.There are many different beliefs of why the dreidel is part of Hanukkah. One is that the dreidel symbols represent "the great miracle that happened here."  There is a great miracle happening in the world today as well- as we shift our mindsets. People are becoming more thoughtful about their choices whether considering the planet, sea world, where our food comes from, or GMOs. Our choices have become a topic of conversation.Another idea is that dreidel was a secret way to meet and talk about the bible when they were not allowed to do so. Keep meeting and learning no matter what others are telling you.  Do what you know is right.6.  Celebrate the joy and light that you are bringing to the planet, the animals and the environment. 7.  Channukah is about Revolution.You are part of a revolution. Take eight days to remember what you have done for the movement. Take stock in the fact you are part of, or becoming part of, a revolution. You are part of the revolution for all sensient beings.8. Make Sweet potato Latkes with a vegan sour cream and apple sauce.Celebrate tradition through a brighter and newer recipe.  Enjoy these vegan Hanukkah recipes below. Veganize your recipes. Share your recipes with us below.

Potato Latkes

Potato latkes are traditionally served with sour cream and apple sauce. Play with the variety of potatoes that you use and experiment with the flavor. I enjoy using sweet potatoes because it gives the recipe a bit of sweetness and is rich in nutrients. You can also play with alterations by adding fruit and fresh herbs.

  • ¼ cup shallots, minced
  • 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and grated
  • 2 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and grated
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • ½ cup potato flour
  • 1 flax egg
  • ½ cup canola oil
  1. In a bowl thoroughly incorporate all ingredients.
  2. Heat 1 tablepsoon canola oil on medium heat.
  3. Create a patty from the mixture using approx. ¼ cup.
  4. Cook for 2 – 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Serve: hot

Applesauce

  • 8 – 10 granny smith apple, cored, peeled, large diced
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  1. In a sauce pot, combine all of the ingredients and simmer, stirring occasionally until the apples break down, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Serve: hot or cold

Sour Cream

Delicious and tasty, this vegan sour cream, can accompany potato latkes, enchiladas, and tomato stews, as a creamy side.

  • 12 oz. silken tofu
  • ½ tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon garlic, minced
  • ½ tablespoon brown rice vinegar
  • 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tablespoon brown rice syrup
  • ½ tablespoons mustard, ground
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  1. In a blender, place all ingredients and blend for 1 - 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
  2. Will last for 7 days refrigerated.

Serve: coldPlease share your favorite vegan Hannukah traditions below.Photo Credit: armigeress via Compfight cc

Vegan lifestyleJennifer Jones-HortonVegan ChanukahComment