Enjoying Thanksgivukkah Leftovers
When a calendar event as rare as Thanksgivukkah comes about, you have to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Aside from creating a celebration that acknowledges all aspects of this hybrid holiday, you can also enjoy another first: Thanksgivukkah leftovers. To show us how to reap the benefits from our Thanksgivukkah table is none other than chef Dana Klitzberg, an entrepreneurial personal chef who has spent her life blending traditional cultural dishes in New York City with her time spent in the kitchens of Italy. She shared with us some great recipes and tips for enjoying leftovers at their best!
The Daily Meal: What does your ultimate Thanksgiving sandwich look like?
Dana Klitzberg: My ultimate Thanksgiving sandwich includes the turkey, stuffing, a little gravy, cranberry sauce, and a vegetable or two — on good bread (marble rye or pumpernickel are great choices) with some good mayo. Yum.
TDM: What are the best ways to preserve leftovers?
DK: Leftovers should either be wrapped tightly and frozen, or stored in Tupperware/plastic containers to be eaten over the next couple of days. Just make sure everything is wrapped well, that the fridge is properly cold, and that leftovers are heated all the way through.
TDM: How long do they last for?
DK: Leftovers are always good for 48 hours. Beyond that, it's on a dish-by-dish basis. Things that contain dairy products (mashed potatoes, for example) have a shorter shelf life, generally, and things that contain plenty of vinegar have a longer shelf life (anything sweet-and-sour or pickled).
TDM: What are some entertaining tips you have for blending the holidays in terms of ideas and activities?
DK: Hanukkah is a fairly minor holiday in terms of religious significance, but it's happily observed in the U.S. because it usually falls around the same time of year as Christmas, which is so over-the-top in how it's celebrated. What I've always likes about Thanksgiving is that it's not religious, it's American — and about food. Hanukkah is about fried foods, celebrating the oil that lasted for eight days instead of one. So Thanksgivukkah is kind of like Thanksgiving in the South, on steroids, fried, with presents! Those observing both holidays can light the candles of the menorah and toast the holiday with wine and exchange presents while enjoying a Thanksgiving feast with potato latkes.
TDM: Anything for the kids?
DK: Hanukkah is a time when kids generally get presents: one gift (or gift theme) per night, for eight days. And Hanukkah gelt — always better when it's chocolate!
TDM: What shouldn't go on the Thanksgivukkah table? Any restrictions?
DK: I'd say you'd want to stay away from pork products and shellfish. Not that people who don't keep kosher suddenly follow kosher rules at Hanukkah, but I think respectfully limiting bacon intake to other, non-Jewish holidays is probably best.
Click here for the Sufganiyot Thanksgivukkah Recipe
Click here for the Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Click here for the Turkey Stock Recipe
