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.