Foods of vengeance know no bounds. It’s a well-known fact that we’ll eat Haman’s hat in the form of hamantaschen, but that’s just the start. In Sephardic culture, it’s equally acceptable, if not more celebrated, to eat Haman’s eyes (Moroccan Ojos de Haman), ears (an alternate interpretation for the traditional triangular hamantash), and fingers, too. Cannibalism not withstanding, these bodily baked goods deserve the spotlight just as much in your next mishloach manot.
This time around, I’d like to give the finger to each and every one of you, in the sweetest way possible.
Can’t Lay A Finger On This History
Hailing from Greece and Turkey, Haman’s Fingers are simple yet lavish pastries, reminiscent of single serving baklava. Rolled like cigars, phyllo pastry encases a filling of lightly sweetened chopped nuts, sometimes enriched with dried fruits, and flavored with a delicate hint of citrus, rosewater, and spices. Like the beloved hamantash, however, anything goes when we’re talking about modern interpretations. Coconut, seeds, chocolate, sprinkles; it’s all fair game. Who’s to say what the wicked Haman was really made of, anyway?
Swaps and Substitutions
Everyone should be able to get even with their oppressors and devour their digits. As such, this recipe is fully adaptable to accommodate all diets. Here’s how to make it…
- Sugar-free: Substitute date sugar for the coconut sugar, or if you want a completely unrefined sweetener, try whole, pitted dates. Simply pulse them in at the same time as the nuts. Omit the optional confectioner’s sugar on top.
- Nut-free: Seeds are your best friends! Pepitas and sunflower seeds especially make excellent fodder for the filling. Alternately, opt for shredded, unsweetened coconut, crunchy chickpea snacks, crispy rice cereal, or your favorite granola.
- Gluten-free: Phyllo dough is tough to find without wheat, but even harder to make from scratch. If you’re willing to sacrifice some of that light, flaky texture, gluten-free wonton wrappers are fine substitutions in a pinch.
Chag Purim Sameach!
Make some noise, dress like a demon, and eat your enemies. No one will judge you for such transgressions on purim, especially when the results are so delicious.