CHANUKAH

A

s we continue to think 
of new and creative 
ways to lead more sus-
tainable lives, even our annual 
Chanukah celebrations can 
be transformed into greener, 
Earth-friendly practices.
This year, there are numer-
ous steps you can take to have 
a healthy and sustainable 
Chanukah with loved ones. 
Here are nine ways to have 
a green Chanukah without 
skimping on traditions.

1. TRANSFORM 
YOUR LATKES
Typically served with sour 

cream or applesauce, a few 
simple changes to a traditional 
latke recipe can go a long way 
in creating more sustainable 
meals for the Jewish holiday.
Opting for an all-natural or 
organic sour cream can be a 
great start, as can creating your 
own applesauce from locally 
purchased apples.
For a new and healthier 
taste, consider making latkes 
out of sweet potatoes as well.

2. COOK WITH 
ORGANIC OIL
Oil is a staple of Chanukah 
cooking, which means using 

an organic oil can increase 
sustainability. From latkes to 
roasted vegetables, having an 
organic oil on hand can help 
you create a number of flavor-
ful dishes.
“We recommend palm oil 
that comes from a regenerative 
forest,” suggests Wren Hack, 
director of Hazon Detroit, a 
Jewish organization that pro-
motes sustainability. “It won’t 
hurt the planet as much as 
everything else.”

3. CHOOSE LOCAL 
POTATOES AND ONIONS
Potatoes, onions and other 

root vegetables are a mainstay 
in the fall and winter, which 
means these items can easily 
be found when grocery shop-
ping.
Buying produce from 
local vendors or farmers 
markets not only helps sup-
port Michigan-based small 
businesses, but it also helps 
promote sustainability while 
cutting down on food waste.
“Many farmers markets are 
still open,” Hack says, “like 
Eastern Market, Royal Oak 
and Pontiac.”

Make the Holiday More 
Earth-friendly this Year

16 | NOVEMBER 25 • 2021 

Nine creative ways to have a more 
sustainable Chanukah.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Use organic oil to make 
your latkes this year.

Buy potatoes and 
onions from local 
growers.

