Hanukkah family tradition: Kugel

by Nicole Lisson
- The Capitol Hill Times -

Nicole Lisson / The Capitol Hill Times

This Saturday is the first night of Hanukkah. It’s a tradition in my family to celebrate with a huge feast that always includes a dessert called Kugel. Kugel is a baked sweet noodle pudding. The dish originated over 800 hundred years ago in Germany where it became a staple with Jewish families throughout Eastern Europe. When Jewish immigrants came over to the United States they brought Kugel with them, and it continues to be a popular dish around the holidays to this day.

While there are many different variations on Kugel, people in the U.S tend to favor the sweet version. However, savory or sweet there are always three basic ingredients that go in it: eggs, fat and starch. It is not a dish to eat if you are watching you’re waistline but it is delicious. Also, it’s cheap and easy to make. Feel free to adapt the recipe below to your liking. Kugel is very forgiving. Enjoy and happy Hanukkah!