home > entertaining > Sukkot

The seven-day festival of Sukkot occurs during the heart of harvest season. The High Holy Days have come to an end. The air is crisp and crackles with the sound of golden leaves. And the time has come to gather around in the great outdoors for extraordinary visits with family and friends.

Dinner Under the Harvest Moon
During Sukkot, meals are eaten in homemade outdoor huts called Sukkot. The custom of building Sukkot each year reminds us of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, during which time they had to live in temporary shelters (the word Sukkah––singular for Sukkot––means “booth” in Hebrew). There are countless ways to decorate your Sukkah and it’s something the whole family can enjoy.

My Sukkah or Yours?
Sukkot is a great social holiday with an emphasis on hospitality, appreciation for one another, and having a good time. It’s customary to invite friends and family over to your Sukkah for spirited, festive meals and it’s not uncommon to visit many other families’ Sukkot during the course of the week.

Getting Stuffed on Sukkot
The Sukkot menu calls for seasonal fare­––autumnal fruits and vegetables––and stuffed foods, which are said to represent a bountiful harvest. A classic Sukkot dish is Holishkes (Stuffed Cabbages).  Another recipe to try is Baked Chicken Broilers With Matzo-Nut Stuffing. Both are comfort foods, which, along with the good company you keep, are sure to keep you cozy late into the cool autumn evenings.

next article: Decorate Your Sukkuh >