Purim

Purim celebrates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from the wicked Haman, an advisor to the Persian king. It’s a fun holiday with noisemakers in temple that are shaken whenever Haman’s name is mentioned and also a day to marvel at the strength of women! Kids (and adults) often dress in costume. And gift baskets of goodies, called mishloach manot, are shared with friends and family.

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One of the best treats for Purim are hamantaschen: triangle-shaped cookies with fruit or savory filling. There are many explanations for their triangular shape - one of the most widely believed is that they look like Haman's tri-cornered hat or his ears ("oznei Haman" in Hebrew). Sweet hamantaschen are most popular, with poppy seed or prune filling.

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My date and walnut thumbprints have a connection to the traditional hamantaschen and are an excellent alternative for the holiday.