Purim: Celebrate life, giving and sweet treats!

This year, March 10 is the celebration of Purim. Create your own basket of sweet treats to share with some of these Canadian Living recipe favourites.

By Christine Picheca, Online Food Editor

Hamantaschen
Photography by Yvonne Duivenvoorden

Purim is a fun and lively Jewish holiday. It commemorates the rescuing of Jews living in Persia by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai from the villainous Haman, advisor to the king. Haman convinces the King Ahasurerus to allow him to destroy the Jewish people out of revenge towards Mordecai. Esther persuades the king to save her people - Haman is slain and the Jews celebrate their victory with gifts, charity towards the poor and revelry:

"Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the 14th day of the month of Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a holiday, and of sending portions to one another". – Esther 9:17

Purim tradition
Presenting gifts of food and drink, or sending out portions, is called "Mishloach Manot" in Yiddish. This tradition continues today and is the centrepiece of the Purim celebration along with charitable giving. Sometimes referred to as the "Jewish Mardi-Gras", Purim sees adults and children alike dress in costumes and give baskets of treats to one another in celebration.

Hamantaschen
Hamantaschen cookies are the best known treat of Purim. They are three-sided cookies - seen in the image above - are made to resemble the hat of the villain Haman. They are traditionally filled with a poppyseed filling, and sometimes with an apricot or prune jam or even chocolate. See how to make these pretty cookies with our Hamantaschen Step-by-Step Recipe Slideshow!

The Hamantaschen are packed into basket along with any number of homemade or purchased treats; fruits, nuts, candies and cookies fill the basket. The baskets are decorated and passed out to friends and relatives.

Make your own Purim basket
Fill a basket with Canadian Living's favourite homemade sweet treats for gift giving and celebrate the festival of Purim with your friends and family. Here are some of The Canadian Living Test Kitchen's favourites:

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