By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
The holiday season is a time to gather and celebrate but many friends and colleagues don’t share religious beliefs, cultures or holiday traditions. In recent years, even families have become more diverse, particularly in regard to faith. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that 46% of Jewish adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are children of interfaith marriages. Pew also finds that “young adults are more likely to be religiously unaffiliated,” especially in North America.
A greater number of interfaith marriages and a decline in religious affiliations mean holiday hosts will likely be celebrating among people from many different backgrounds, all bringing their own traditions and expectations to the party. In an effort to make everyone feel welcome, consider different ways to honor various faiths during a holiday bash.
The first order of business, before planning the menu or buying decorations, is to do some research. Take some time to learn about other faiths. Knowledge of other religions and their traditions can help hosts create a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere during the holiday season. Someone with a Christian-based background used to decorating in red and green with a Christmas tree and a creche may welcome Jewish, Muslim and Hindu friends or relatives into their home for the holidays where those icons may seem jarring.
With a little education, hosts can make everyone feel comfortable by incorporating what they’ve learned into the party, through the décor, food, music and other activities. When planning the meal, prepare a traditional holiday dish a guest might eat when celebrating their own faith or culture. This can make for a meal that’s both welcoming, interesting and more enjoyable for every guest.
Hosts can also ask guests to join in party preparations and throughout the festivities. Extended family members and friends from different religious backgrounds may be proud of their faith and enthusiastic about the chance to share it with the people they love most. A holiday gathering is the ideal time to embrace this spirit. Encourage guests from different ethnic or religious backgrounds to bring something that reminds them of their own celebrations. That can be a particular food or beverage, a playlist of holiday songs or a small gift to incorporate into holiday decor. Guests can then share as much as they would like to about their faith, including any holiday traditions they typically engage in.
Another option to make everyone feel welcome is to reduce the emphasis on any particular religious-based traditions and make the party secular. It’s alright for hosts to offer well wishes and even recite prayers that reflect their faith, but try to emphasize how enjoyable it is for everyone to gather under one roof and celebrate the season together. Celebrating with family and friends is a significant component of the holiday season for people of all faiths, so emphasizing togetherness during this special time of year is something all guests will appreciate.
At your next multicultural party, try offering these treats. Your guests will approve no matter what their background is.
Kaju katli is a cashew-based Indian sweet often covered with edible silver foil, making it perfect for a holiday celebration. It is a popular treat for special occasions and especially for Diwali which just ended. Kaju katli has only a few ingredients and is easy to make but will surely wow your guests.
KAJU KATLI
Start to finish: 30 mins
Makes 30 servings
2 cups (250g) whole raw cashew nuts
2 tablespoons (15g) dry milk powder
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
10 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons (125g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (60ml) water
Rounded 1/2 teaspoon ghee
Edible silver or gold leaf, optional
In a blender, grind cashews just to a fine powder, taking care not to grind them into butter. Place cashew powder in a medium mixing bowl, then whisk in milk powder and cardamom.
In a 2-quart saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium-high heat until sugar has melted. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 230°F on a probe or candy thermometer, about 4 minutes.
Turn heat to low and add cashew mixture, stirring continuously with a heat-resistant flexible spatula. The mixture should pull away from the sides of the pan and form a loose ball. Add ghee and mix well for a few seconds, then remove pan from heat.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on a clean work surface and carefully scoop hot cashew dough on top. Set a second piece of parchment paper on top of the cashew dough. Knead the hot dough through the paper for a few seconds to help bring it together. Using a rolling pin, roll dough out into a single even sheet about 1/8 inch thick, keeping it in a rectangular shape as much as possible (this will help with cutting later).
Remove the top layer of parchment and let dough stand for 1 minute. If desired, carefully lay edible silver leaf over the dough, covering it completely without overlapping too much.
Using a sharp knife, cut dough into diamond-shaped pieces 1 to 1 ½ inches long.
Allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
The kaju katli can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days.
(Recipe adapted from Chetna Makan at seriouseats.com)
This article originally appeared in the November 23 – 29, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
