My Favorite Holiday Foods
I grew up in a multi-religion household, making holidays tons of fun with a large variety of foods! I figured to get in the holiday spirit nutritionally I would share some of my holiday favorites!
1. Cornflake Wreaths
Cornflake wreaths are a huge tradition in my household, mainly because I force it to be that way. Very few people in my family even like this cookie but it has remained my favorite since childhood. The cornflake wreath is a more festive version of a rice Krispie treat, and it’s made with corn flakes instead of rice cereal. I’m pretty sure my mom found it out of some magazine one year when we were kids, not anticipating it to become such a tradition. We would have friends come over and bake them with us, and now I come home for the holidays begging my mom to purchase the ingredients for us to make together. And I can’t wait to one day share the tradition with my own kids. Here is a photo of ours – they’re not the most beautiful looking but they’re delicious (as long as you don’t mind having a green tongue!).
2. Crescent Wrapped Gouda
I’m not sure I would say this is only a holiday food, but it was a food that only really comes around at special events in my family. I love cheese, especially gouda! I have no recipe for this aside from the fact that you get Pillsbury crescent rolls and cover a chunk of gouda cheese with them. Then you bake and cut into triangles. It’s heavenly and something that just reminds me of childhood.
3. Potato Pancakes
Half of my family is Jewish so we celebrate all of the major holidays including Chanukah. It was not abnormal to find a menorah in our window along with our Christmas tree growing up. I have such an admiration for both religions and traditions and loved growing up being exposed to both. One of my immediate family’s traditions was hosting the Chanukah party for everyone. We always encouraged friends to come join us in the celebration and allowed them to take part in lighting the candles. I understand to more observant families out there this likely is not allowed under the Jewish faith, but my family is not as traditional and found great joy in letting others partake in our faith traditions. Potato pancakes, or latkes as they are traditionally called, are a staple during Chanukah. They are eaten because they are fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the small amount of oil that lasted for 8 days during the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. That’s the story behind the celebration of Chanukah. The word Chanukah actually means dedication in Hebrew. I’ll be honest, I often prefer potato pancakes from the box mix, which many may find blasphemous (haha) but there’s just something about their texture that I enjoy more. It’s always my favorite when Chanukah falls around Christmas because it means I get to celebrate both when visiting my family.
4. Danish Butter Cookies
I was recently reminded of this favorite as I went away with two tins from a White Elephant gift exchange! I initially thought they may have had sewing materials in them (you never know with White Elephant exchanges!) and if you know you know when it comes to the pure disappointment of finding sewing materials in one of these tins in your house. There’s something about the sweet flavor and the sugar crystals on top that makes them irresistible!
The holidays are such a festive time and there are so many foods which can be really stressful for some. I want to make a point that there can be more to food than stress and anxiety. Food can hold memories, nostalgia, traditions, and excitement. If you are not there yet on your journey, that’s okay! It takes time to view food in a more positive light after maybe not doing so for a period of time. Be patient with yourself and know that there are many rooting for you and thinking of you this holiday season.
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