Celebrate the holidays with Pineapple Kugel
The fireplace is lit, snow is starting to stick on the ground, and the kitchen is filled with family and friends ready to celebrate the festival of lights. The aroma of sizzling latkes, jelly-filled sufganiyot, and a sweet tropical smell takes over. This unexpected aroma is the smell of pineapple kugel, adding tropical sweetness to a traditional Hanukkah dish. The fruity flavor and the richness of eggs, along with noodles, create a delightfully unique dish. Join us as we explore this incredible dish, making pineapple kugel a new holiday tradition. Let the celebration begin!
What is Kugel?
A kugel is a baked casserole made with noodles or potatoes mixed with eggs and cheese, such as cottage cheese. There are two types of people: ones that prefer sweet or savory, and the same goes for kugel. Depending on the ingredients, a kugel can be sweet, with sugar and spices, or have a savory taste of onion and herbs. The dish can be served cold or warm. Toppings can consist of raisins, cranberries, or our favorite: pineapple rings.
The kugel originated in Germany around the 12th century and was originally more of a savory pudding than a casserole. Around the 17th century, when sugar became popular, kugel became a sweet dish instead of savory.
The Importance of Kugel
Kugel isn’t just on the menu for Hanukkah; you can expect kugel to be served for Passover, Shabbat, and Yom Kippur. Depending on how the dish is cooked, it could have several meanings. If the dish is made with noodles because they are intertwined, it can mean Jewish unity. The composition and the sugar contained in kugel can symbolize the arrival of Shabbat and bring spiritual blessings.
Nutritional Benefits of Pineapple Kugel
Having a house full of people for the celebration of Hanukkah can be stressful enough between worrying about cooking, cleaning, and making sure all the nieces and nephews stay out of trouble. All those activities might mean missing some meals, but pineapple kugel has a lot of nutritional benefits to make up for it—and can be made ahead!
Pineapples contain 88% of the daily value of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and includes antioxidants. Eggs, which are considered a superfood, are loaded with healthy nutrients. No matter how eggs are cooked, they are excellent for preventing strokes and contain an antioxidant called lutein that helps prevent eye diseases like cataracts. Cottage cheese has 29% of the daily value of vitamin B12, which can support bone health and the formation of red blood cells.
Navigating Allergies and Sensitivities
During Hanukkah, a friend or family member might have some dietary restrictions that could prevent them from enjoying a piece of pineapple kugel. So, we are going to go over some alternatives so everyone has a chance to enjoy the new holiday dish.
If someone is lactose intolerant, there are better options than cottage cheese. Instead, replace cottage cheese with soy-based Greek yogurt or silken tofu with a creamy texture. Some grocery stores have lactose-free cottage cheese.
If someone has an egg allergy or is vegan, you can replace the eggs with flax eggs or chia eggs.
Sugar is another ingredient that might need a substitution in case someone is watching their sugar intake or vegan. Stevia and monk fruit sweeteners are suitable substitutions for sugar.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces wide egg noodles
- 8 ounces butter, melted
- Four eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- One large Chestnut Hill Farms Perfect Pineapple, you’ll need about 15 oz of pineapple.
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- One teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch x 13-inch pan. You can use melted butter, oil, or cooking spray.
- Cook the noodles according to the directions on the package for no more than the minimum specified time. Mix with the melted butter and set aside.
- Beat the eggs and add the sugar, mixing until well combined. Then add the drained fruit, sour cream, cottage cheese, vanilla, and salt. Mix all those ingredients and add the noodles and butter. Mix again.
- Pour the mixture into the buttered pan. Bake uncovered for one hour (top should be browned and getting crispy), then cover with foil and bake for another 30 minutes.
Calling All Pineapple Lovers for A Slice of Sweetness
It’s no secret that some things can be hectic during the holiday season, and mistakes happen. One mistake you won’t make is cutting a pineapple perfectly. Now you have everything you need to make the perfect pineapple kugel to celebrate Hanukkah with family and friends!
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