This year, try adding some Haman’s “fingers” to your mishloach manot, the gift baskets Jews traditionally give one another on Purim.
Jews around the world will celebrate Purim, the festival commemorating our triumph over the wicked Haman, beginning the evening of March 4. In much of the world, Jews eat hamentashen to symbolize the victory.
Try adding some Haman’s “fingers” to your mishloach manot, the gift baskets Jews traditionally give one another on Purim.
In Jewish communities from Greece and Turkey, Purim is celebrated by eating wicked Haman’s “fingers.” Here’s a recipe for this rich pastry.
1⁄2 lb. phyllo dough (defrosted)
1⁄2 cup almonds
3 Tbsps. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. grated orange rind
6-8 Tbsps. margarine, melted
Confectioners’ sugar
Chop almonds with sugar in food processor until course. Stir in cinnamon and grated orange rind.
Preheat oven to 350˚. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or grease them.
Remove phyllo sheets from their package and unroll them on a dry towel. With a sharp knife, cut stack in half lengthwise, then in half crosswise. Cover phyllo immediately
with a piece of wax paper, then with a damp towel. Work with only 1 sheet at a time, keeping remaining sheets covered so they don't dry out.
Carefully remove one pastry square from stack. Brush it lightly with melted margarine. Put about 2 teaspoons filling at one end of a phyllo square so it extends all along the edge. Fold the two ends of dough in, slightly over filling, then roll up tightly to form a thin finger. Transfer to a baking sheet. Make more phyllo fingers with remaining dough and filling.
Bake pastries 15 to 20 minutes or until very lightly golden. Transfer to a rack to cool. Serve dusted with Confectioners’ sugar.
Makes about 30 pastries.
Courtesy of aish.com.
