There is a tradition to eat foods fried in oil on Chanukah in commemoration of the miracle following the Maccabean victory over the Assyrian forces: When they went to rededicate the Holy Temple they could find only enough olive oil to light its lamp, its menorah, for one day. They lit it anyway, and miraculously the lights remained burning for eight days – enough time for new oil to be pressed. Here is a basic, no-fail recipe for traditional potato latkes fried in oil.