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Taste of Jewish Culture

Food History, Plus

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The Tangled History of Noodle Kugel
April 5, 2021

The Tangled History of Noodle Kugel

Articles by FunJoel0 comments

About a month ago I posted a link to my recent article for The Nosher, all about Potato Kugel. Well, as promised, my next article to come out follows up on that, by unraveling the tangled history of noodle (or lokshen) kugel! Noodle kugel is the older of the two, and has at least as complex a story as the […]

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Borscht’s Belt Wraps Ashkenazi Food and Broader Jewish Cuisine
March 23, 2021

Borscht’s Belt Wraps Ashkenazi Food and Broader Jewish Cuisine

Classic Foods by FunJoel1 comment

When it comes to holiday food, my mother is a real traditionalist. No need to ask what will be served at the Seder, for example, because it would be the same every year. Which was also the same as what her mother prepared. One of those standard Pesach/Passover dishes was always knobl borscht. I am much less of a traditionalist […]

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The History of Potato Kugel
March 1, 2021

The History of Potato Kugel

Classic Foods by FunJoel5 comments

Many of you may remember a post I wrote a few months back all about kugel. Well, if you thought there was nothing more to discuss on the subject, you were wrong! 🙂 My newest piece for The Nosher covers the entire History of Potato Kugel, and soon there will be another one coming out dedicated to Noodle Kugel. This […]

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No, Virginia, Haman Did NOT Have Pointy Ears
February 24, 2021

No, Virginia, Haman Did NOT Have Pointy Ears

Classic Foods by FunJoel0 comments

Hamantaschen: those triangular stuffed cookies that so many of us eat on Purim. What do they actually have to do with this holiday? The answer is actually more complicated than you might think, but not as asinine as some might make it out to be (i.e. there actually is some mild significance). The most common explanations you will hear are […]

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Tu B’Shvat: The Jewish Food Holiday That Isn’t a Holiday But is Definitely About Jewish Food
January 27, 2021January 28, 2021

Tu B’Shvat: The Jewish Food Holiday That Isn’t a Holiday But is Definitely About Jewish Food

Holiday Food by FunJoel0 comments

“Tu B’Shvat has arrived! The Holiday for the Trees!” So goes the famous Hebrew children’s song in celebration of the holiday known as Tu B’Shvat (translated as the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat). On this day, Jews around the world celebrate the fruits of trees, and typically eat dried fruits and nuts in honor of the day. But […]

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2020: The Year in Jewish Food
December 29, 2020

2020: The Year in Jewish Food

Uncategorized by FunJoel3 comments

This past year is not likely to go down as many people’s favorite. (Yes, I am a master of understatement.) That’s why I’m looking forward to 2021, and why I chose to feature next year in this post’s main photo! But despite the many bad aspects of 2020, there were numerous positives in the world of Jewish Food this year […]

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The Complexity of Jewish Food History
December 24, 2020

The Complexity of Jewish Food History

Research by FunJoel0 comments

Studying Jewish Food history is interesting and exciting, especially when you uncover little-known facts and episodes, the more surprising the better. But as one of the most mobile nations in history (perhaps the most mobile), our people’s food has a history that is sometimes as complex as that of the nation itself. I recently encountered a great example while doing […]

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The Simple Daily Food That’s Better Than Roast Duck
December 1, 2020

The Simple Daily Food That’s Better Than Roast Duck

Classic Foods by FunJoel3 comments

It’s definitely getting to be soup season here in Jerusalem, and likely where you live as well (if you don’t live in the tropics or the Southern Hemisphere). I pretty much only eat soup in the winter time (not counting cold soups, of course), so I figured this would be a good time to dive into a big pot of […]

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Frugal Food Tips Drawn from the Jewish Kitchen
October 13, 2020

Frugal Food Tips Drawn from the Jewish Kitchen

Classic Foods by FunJoel0 comments

During the current crisis, many people’s day-to-day food habits have changed significantly. If my Facebook and Instagram feeds are at all representative, there’s been a lot more home cooking, and definitely lots more bread-baking (sourdough or otherwise). But another thing we’re seeing a lot of is people trying to make their food dollars go further. Multiple people this past week […]

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Kosher Pork Chops and Other Crypto-Jewish Foods
October 6, 2020October 6, 2020

Kosher Pork Chops and Other Crypto-Jewish Foods

Books by FunJoel3 comments

One of the saddest chapters in Jewish history is also one of the more interesting on a gastronomic level. Following the forced conversions in 15th century Spain, and the Inquisition and subsequent Expulsion, many so-called New Christians secretly maintained Jewish beliefs. Practicing in secret to avoid arrest and torturous execution, they are now known as Crypto-Jews. (1)The better-known term Marrano […]

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Exploring Jewish Food History and its links to Jewish Culture.

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Recent

  • May 04, 2022 Kosher USA (from The Jewish Food Bookshelf)
  • Apr 27, 2022 Ashkenazi Food: Unrecognized Diversity
  • Apr 20, 2022 Cooking Jewish Culture: Passover Onion Rolls
  • Apr 05, 2022 Media Updates
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