Celebrating Sukkot by Judy Baumann, R.D. Sukkot is an opportunity for inviting and being invited. Also known as Tabernacles or Festival of Booths, the holiday is celebrated with great joy, for it is the final harvest of the year. Communities and individuals have open houses or progressive parties, going from sukkah to sukkah. Usually wine, cake and fruit are served, though formal lunches and casual supper are also popular. Building and decorating a sukkah provides a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to work together.
Children love to make garlands of paper chains and string popcorn.
These, along with apples, pears, gourds, peppers and other vegetables hang from the sukkah's lattice-work ceiling. Art work from school and posters from Israel often adorn the walls. Surprisingly, no food is associated with the holiday, but there are a number of food-related activities that tie Sukkot to other holidays. In the early fall in Israel, dates are being picked, and here in the Midwest, if there s been no killing frost, the last of our summer vegetables are harvested. A good use for some of those vegetables is Vegetarian Chili, a dish that's sure to please your Sukkah guests.