It's the most nosh-able time of the year! 🕎✨
At The Nosh Table, we believe Hanukkah deserves a little extra color, personality, and, of course, chutzpah. Inspired by our Jewish traditions and Italian roots, we're sharing five of our favorite ways to bring a little la dolce vita to your Hanukkah celebrations this year.
Whether you're hosting a festive Hanukkah bash or keeping things cozy with family, here's how to make all eight nights feel extra special.
1. Set a Hanukkah Table That's Anything but Ordinary
Who says Hanukkah has to be all blue and silver?
This year, we're embracing playful patterns, unexpected pops of color, and festive details that make the holiday table feel uniquely yours. Our new Hanukkah Collection is filled with colorful entertaining essentials, from embroidered menorah and dreidel cocktail napkins to playful holiday designs made for eight nights of noshing and schmoozing.
Styling tip: Mix embroidered cocktail napkins with everyday dinnerware for an effortlessly festive table. It's the little details that make the biggest impression.
2. Give Your Swirl Seder Plate a Hanukkah Makeover
Who says a Seder plate is just for Passover?
Our signature Swirl Seder Plate is one of our favorite pieces to style year-round, and Hanukkah is the perfect excuse to give it another moment in the spotlight.
Here are three ways we're using it this holiday season:
- A sweet Hanukkah spread: Fill the removable bowls with chocolate gelt, colorful candies, chocolate-covered pretzels, and other sweet treats.
- The ultimate latke toppings bar: Set out sour cream, applesauce, crème fraîche, chopped chives, and your favorite toppings so guests can build their own perfect latke.
- Dreidel night essentials: Use the bowls to organize gelt, candies, and game pieces for a playful family game night.
3. Give Traditional Latkes an Italian Twist
If there's one thing our Jewish and Italian roots have in common, it's that food is always at the center of the celebration. And while we love a classic potato latke, sometimes it's fun to give tradition a little twist. Enter: Zucchini Parmesan Potato Latkes. Crispy, golden, cheesy, and full of flavor, these latkes bring together two of our favorite food traditions in one delicious bite.
Recipe: Zucchini Parmesan Potato Latkes
Ingredients
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled
- 1 large zucchini
- ½ small sweet onion
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup matzo meal or breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Neutral oil for frying, such as avocado oil
- Optional toppings: tomato sauce, fresh basil, whipped ricotta
Instructions
- Grate the potatoes, zucchini, and onion. Place everything in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This is the secret to crispy latkes!
- Transfer to a large bowl and combine with the egg, Parmesan, matzo meal, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a generous layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Scoop the mixture into small mounds, flatten gently, and fry for approximately 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack and serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Buon appetito! Who knew a little Parmesan could bring so much la dolce vita to Hanukkah?
4. Take Your Latke Toppings Beyond Applesauce
Don't get us wrong; we love the classics. But latkes are basically a blank canvas for delicious toppings, and we're all about getting creative.
Here are three of our favorite combinations for your Hanukkah table:
Ricotta & Honey
A creamy spoonful of fresh ricotta finished with a drizzle of honey. Sweet, salty, and wonderfully Italian.
Mascarpone & Chives
Swap traditional sour cream for rich, creamy mascarpone and finish with freshly chopped chives for an unexpected twist.
Crème Fraîche & Lox
A little crème fraîche, smoked salmon, and fresh dill or chives. Perfect for Hanukkah brunch or an elevated cocktail hour.
Hosting tip: Create a DIY latke bar with toppings served in small bowls so guests can mix, match, and nosh to their heart's content.
5. Make Hanukkah Cocktail Hour a Little More Festive
Eight nights of celebration call for a little L'chaim! Set out a beautiful tray with drinks, crispy latkes, and a few bowls of gelt. Add our embroidered Hanukkah cocktail napkins featuring playful menorah and dreidel designs, and you've got an instant holiday happy hour.
A little nosh. A little schmooze. A whole lot of L'chaim.
Wishing You Eight Nights of Joy, Light & La Dolce Vita
Whether you're frying latkes with family, hosting friends for cocktails, or lighting the menorah with your favorite people, we hope this holiday season is filled with warmth, laughter, and a little extra sweetness.
Thank you for allowing The Nosh Table to be part of your celebrations!
Chag Sameach & Buon Appetito! 💙🕎
Remi
Founder, The Nosh Table