Sufganiyot on sale in the Jerusalem market. Photo: Tazpit News Agency.

One of Chanukah’s delights in Israel is the eating of the traditional sufganiyah, the deep-fried round jelly doughnut topped with powdered sugar. The IDF doesn’t want to miss out, and so the provisions branch has acquired over 300,000 doughnuts which will be devoured by the fighting forces.

The regular size sufganiyah packs 500 calories per unit, with potentially disastrous implications on the warriors’ fitness, and so 85 percent of the doughnuts are “mini” sized, carrying a lower calorie value.

Pnina Yechezkel, head of food acquisition at the Ministry of Defense explained: “We all have children and relatives in the army and want them to enjoy the holiday atmosphere and the sweet fun on Chanukah, while maintaining their fitness. The soldiers will enjoy warm and fresh sufganiyot and watch their waist.”

On Chanukah, Jews observe the custom of eating fried foods in commemoration of the miracle of the oil and the renewal of the Temple. In Israel there is a national hubbub around the sufganiyah on Chanukah. Angel Bakeries, the largest bakery in Israel, reportedly fries more than 250,000 sufganiyot every day during the eight-day Chanukah festival. One can buy the basic jelly filled version, or sample one of the more creative versions filled with dulcet de leche, chocolate cream, vanilla cream, cappuccino or even a light green pistachio filling. This year, with the celebration of Thanksgivukkah, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah on the same date, one can even find cranberry filled sufganiyot.