BACKGROUND

Hanukkah may not be the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar, but it is certainly the most popular with Jewish families all over the world. They exchange gifts, light candles, enjoy foods fried in oil and play the dreidel game. And best of all, Hanukkah lasts for eight days because it commemorates the miracle that occurred during ancient times, when a one-day supply of oil burned for eight days until a new supply could be made.

Traditionally, the favorite holiday food is potato latkes--pancakes fried until crisp and brown.