This year the first day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving coincide; this won’t happen again for another 70,000 years, so buckle your seat belts.
I have my menorah at the ready and will carefully select all the burnished orange and red candles for the night. I may even attach some (non-flammable) turkey-like feathers to it to really get us in the mood, but I’m frankly feeling pretty excited about the opportunity to mix these delicious food traditions for one unforgettable feast.
Potatoes
Make a pile of potato knish (essentially a pastry-wrapped mashed potato pancake) instead of a standard mashed potato side. Thinly roll out pre-made biscuit dough, cut the dough into circles, add a scoop of your favorite mashed potato recipe (add caramelized onions, sautéed kale or shredded sweet potatoes for a little fun), top with another biscuit dough round and seal up the dough. Bake these beauties and you have a classic, delicious side. (And now you don’t need to make rolls!)
Or, serve a giant latke like our Root Vegetable and Potato Skillet Cake opens in a new tab for some latke love without all the time at the stove. Or, just go for it, and make latkes for a pre-meal appetizer.
Jam-Filled Coconut Donuts opens in a new tab
Donuts
Make your own pumpkin-pie-flavored filling (swap the jam in this recipe opens in a new tab for cream whipped with a little pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice) for these Celebration of Lights favorites. Though these donuts are baked, they are brushed with a little coconut oil for a traditional deep-fried donut shimmer.
Double Meat
Roast a turkey breast and serve a braised brisket alongside. Both will make excellent leftovers, but you won’t feel overwhelmed by a whole bird.
Leftovers
My husband will use any opportunity to have matzoh ball soup, and turkey leftovers seem like the perfect excuse. Also, kugel is awesome for repurposing funny amounts of roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, etc. I feel a new Thanksgiving tradition in the making…
Will you be celebrating a dual holiday this year? How do you plan to incorporate both traditions? I would love to know your thoughts – share your suggestions in the comments section below.
