Gribenes facts for kids
Chicken gribenes
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| Alternative names | Grieven |
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| Created by | Ashkenazi Jews |
| Main ingredients | Chicken skin, onions |
Gribenes (also called grieven) is a tasty snack from Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. It is made from crispy chicken or goose skin. These pieces are fried with onions until they are golden and crunchy.
Gribenes are a byproduct of making schmaltz. Schmaltz is a type of cooking fat, similar to lard, that is made from chicken or goose fat. When the fat is melted down, gribenes are left behind. This food is kosher, meaning it follows Jewish dietary laws.
In the past, gribenes were a very popular food among Ashkenazi Jews. You can often find them mentioned in old Jewish stories.
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What are Gribenes?
Gribenes are like crispy "cracklings" made from poultry skin. They are often fried until they are very crunchy. Onions are usually cooked with the skin, adding a sweet flavor.
This snack is a byproduct of making schmaltz. Schmaltz is a special fat used for cooking. It is made by slowly melting chicken or goose fat. The crispy bits left over are the gribenes.
When are Gribenes Eaten?
Gribenes are often eaten during Jewish holidays. They are especially popular during Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah. During Hanukkah, gribenes were traditionally served with potato kugel or latkes. Latkes are crispy potato pancakes.
Gribenes are also linked to Passover. This is because a lot of schmaltz was used in Passover recipes. This meant there were often plenty of gribenes left over to enjoy.
How to Enjoy Gribenes
You can eat gribenes in many ways! They make a great snack on their own. People often enjoy them on rye or pumpernickel bread with a sprinkle of salt.
Gribenes can also be added to other dishes. They are sometimes mixed into chopped liver or kasha varnishkes. You might even find them served as a side dish with pastrami sandwiches or hot dogs.
Some people enjoy gribenes as a midnight snack or an appetizer. In some places, like Louisiana, gribenes are even used in dishes like Jambalaya. They can replace ingredients that are not kosher. Gribenes were also given to children as a special treat on challah bread.
You might also hear of a GLT sandwich. This is like a BLT sandwich, but it uses gribenes instead of bacon.
Where Does the Name Come From?
The word gribenes comes from the German word Griebe. This word means 'piece of fat' or 'crackling'. It refers to the crispy bits of fat left after rendering.
