5 Traditional Jewish Recipes to Celebrate Purim

The story behind Purim is from the biblical book of Esther. It’s an interesting one, full of intrigue and a villain with murderous intent. If you’re not familiar with it, you can read the whole story here. Ultimately, though, it’s a story of the survival of the Jewish people, and that’s what is celebrated on Purim. It’s a fun holiday, celebrated with costumes, carnivals, parades, plays, charitable giving, giving food baskets to family and friends, and, of course, traditional Purim foods. Here, we offer some Purim recipes so that you can celebrate this festive occasion, too!

• Hamantaschen is probably the most popular of the traditional Purim foods. These triangular cookies are named after Haman, the villain in Esther’s story, and while hamantaschen is Yiddish for “Haman’s pockets”, in Israel they’re called “oznei Haman.” The meaning of that name? “Haman’s ears”! They’re a much anticipated treat, though, and are filled with fruit marmalade, cheese, or poppy seeds. It is said that hamantaschen are eaten as a reminder that Haman’s dastardly plot against the Jews was foiled.
• Purim Challah is very large and elaborately braided. Some say it’s meant to remind people of the rope by which Haman was hanged. The bread itself is up for interpretation, though, with some people preferring a simple recipe and others going for something elaborate like this Sweet Russian Purim Challah.
• Because Queen Esther was a vegetarian, recipes like this Fassoulyeh Bchuderah are often served. A hearty vegetarian stew, this recipe is filling and flavorful. It features navy beans or cannellini, brown sugar, cinnamon, and diced tomatoes, and is a delicious dish perfect for your Purim table.
• For those who are decidedly not vegetarians, Brisket is a traditional Jewish dinner food. In this recipe, the rich flavors of wine and dried fruit elevate a somewhat humble cut of beef, making it truly holiday worthy.
• Kreplach are traditional for many Jewish holidays. Like hamantaschen, this is a triangular food. Kreplach, though, are savory, in contrast to the sweet hamantaschen cookies. Kreplach are dumplings full of meats, onion, and spices, and they can be served in chicken soup or on their own, fried.

When you’re shopping for the elements of your Purim celebration, you’ll find everything you need at  NetCost Market. For over 20 years, we’ve been committed to helping our customers save time and money while offering them the world of food all in one place. We’re a local supermarket with a global reach, providing a selection of everyday food products as well as a variety of culinary delights from around the world. It’s our goal to provide authentic, high-quality food products from local farmers as well as suppliers from around the world. When you shop with NetCost Market, you’ll find a comfortable and gratifying shopping experience that even includes online grocery shopping and home grocery delivery.