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Chicago Foodways Roundtable

The Lore of the Latke

Presented by
Leah Zeldes

Saturday, December 1st, 2007
10 AM
Kendall College
900 North Branch Street, Chicago
(West of Halsted Street, North of Chicago Avenue)
Free Parking

Cost: $3 per person, free to Kendall students and faculty with ID.


In the pantheon of Jewish festival foods, the Hanukkah latke may be the tastiest. The Jewish festival of Hanukkah began about 164 B.C.E., after a small tribe of Jews triumphed over the Syrian-Greek rulers of Jerusalem and the rededicated their Temple. So how did this potato pancake become such an integral part of the celebration? What gave a New World vegetable such a starring role in the commemoration of an ancient Jewish victory?

Food writer and culinary historian Leah A. Zeldes offers a colorful talk on the history of the potato latke and its integration into the Hanukkah Festivities.

After beginning as a news reporter, Zeldes, a Chicago journalist, spent 15 years as food and entertainment editor of the city's erstwhile Lerner Newspapers chain. Today, she writes regularly about food and all kinds of other subjects for a variety of media, including the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Herald and Plate magazine. You can also hear her in podcasts on ChicagoScope.com.

Latkes will be served after the program.

This program is hosted by the Chicago Foodways Roundtable. To reserve, please PM, then leave your name, telephone number and how many people in your party or e-mail: chicago.foodways.roundtable@gmail.com

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Oh, fine! One I can easily afford and have time for, and you and LAZ make me choose between latkes and cookies!!!

Have fun....I await your report with cookie-baited breath....

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No guts, no glory.
http://www.chicagonow.com/quips-travails-braised-oxtails
http://quipstravailsandbraisedoxtails.blogspot.com/

if you're referring to the cookie exchange at cookiemonster's house, it's not till 2pm. potentially one could do both....?

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"the only things money can't buy are true love and homegrown tomatoes" (guy clark)

In my case, the two hour window to eat lunch and arrange for the Moms is just too close a call for me personally.

Regards,

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Thanks, but I agree with C2 - and I'll probably have Sparky with me...but I'm sorry to miss it just the same...

_________________
No guts, no glory.
http://www.chicagonow.com/quips-travails-braised-oxtails
http://quipstravailsandbraisedoxtails.blogspot.com/

Just to whet your appetites, Mike G has a terrific photo of latkes made from the recipe.

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008

HI,

There will be both sour cream and applesauce to grace our latkes!

If you see this at the last moment, then just drop in anyway.

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

The latkes, prepared by Cathy2 and Barb Olson, were excellent!

I don't vouch that the latkes will be as good, and they certainly won't come with Cathy's delicious homemade applesauce, but if you missed this event, you can hear a similar talk during a Hanukkah breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Lake Shore Drive Synagogue, 70 E. Elm St., Chicago. The breakfast is open to the public but reservations are required at (312) 337-6811; tickets are $20.

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008