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.

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.

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

Don’t miss the story behind how I came to uncover my grandmother’s recipe for the triangular shaped cookies as well.