You don't have to be Jewish to love hamantaschen

by Emily Matchar, Posted Mar 21st 2008 @ 8:31AM

Purim, the springtime Jewish holiday commemorating the Jews' escape from being destroyed by the evil Haman, is a favorite festival for Jewish kids everywhere. The day frequently involves costume parades, carnivals and feasts, with much eating, drinking and merry-making all around.

When I was seven I came down with chicken pox the morning of our temple's Purim carnival. I was devastated. No dressing up as good Queen Esther in a paper Burger King crown and frosted pink Bonnie Bell Lip Smacker. No waving my noisemaker to blot out the name of the evil Haman. Worst of all, no hamantaschen. I cried for hours.

Hamantaschen, or Haman's pockets, are triangular cookies traditionally filled with fruit, prune or poppy seed centers. Less traditional, though still delicious, are chocolate chip and peanut butter hamantaschen. When made right, they're delicious - crumbly rich dough with a sticky, not-too-sweet center. But when made badly, as commercial hamantaschen often are, they can be dense and depressingly bland. Try this great recipe from Jewish cooking maven Joan Nathan.

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Filed Under: Methods
Tags: baking, Cookies, dessert, Jewish Food, Purim, Recipes

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-21-2008 @3:52PM Kearns said... No doubt about it, poppy hamantaschen are the pentultimate use of the poppy seed, and I devoured many working in a Polish Pastry shop in high school.

Mmmmmmm, brings back memories...
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