Happy Hanukkah, friends! Potato latkes are traditionally enjoyed during Hanukkah, but they are pretty awesome always. Think of them as super tasty Jewish hashbrowns. Let’s get cooking!
Here is all you need to make your own latkes. I decided to switch things up and use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes. Because surely deep frying sweet potatoes makes this one healthy meal. And I tossed in some garlic as well. Because I have a date in a few hours and I hear boys like the scent of garlic on a woman. Or maybe that is why I am single. But I digress. On to the fried goodness!
First, chop up your onions. I left them a little on the chunky side, partly because I like the flavor, but mostly because I am lazy.
Next up, peel your potatoes. These would also be great with some shredded zucchini tossed in as well. Or with scallions. Feel free to be creative! Bubbe won’t mind!
I ended up chopping the potatoes smaller, and throwing them in my handy dandy food processor. If you enjoy manual labor, an old fashioned hand grater will work well, but please see aforementioned note on laziness.
Ta da! A few moments later, you have shredded potatoes. Magic!
The first key to scrumptious latkes that are crispy, not soggy and greasy, is to wring out any moisture. Most recipes call for using cheesecloth, but I don’t know what that is and found a paper towel does the trick.
Now stir in your other ingredients. Oh yeah.
You are so close to your very own latkes! Grab a heavy duty pan and heat the oil up. This is key number two- hot oil. Make sure to keep the oil hot between batches, and when in doubt, drop a small dollop in the pan to test. If it turns golden brown within a minute, you are good to go. Fry away!
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture in the pan and brown on one side. Then turn and brown the other side. It’s that easy!
Oh man I wish you could smell this. You’re pretty, latke.
Now what goes better with homemade latkes then homemade applesauce? If you said absolutely nothing, then you are correct!
This is so easy, you are never going to buy applesauce again. First, peel your apples.
Then chop them up. I kept mine on the chunky side. Again, laziness triumphs.
Transfer said apples into a pot with 1/2 cup water.
And add spices to taste. I went with pumpkin pie spice, but this would be tasty with cinnamon, nutmeg or even cloves if you likes things extra spicy, you saucy minx you!
Bring your apples to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in sugar, and simmer 5 more minutes. There you have it- instant applesauce!
Enjoy your latkes with your applesauce and/or sour cream, and watch your hangovers melt away!
Sweet Potato Latkes
Ingredients
- 3 cups sweet potatoes 1 pound, peeled and shredded with a box grater or a food processor
- 2 tablespoons onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or matzo meal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup oil I used canola, but peanut works great as well
Instructions
- First, peel and shred the potatoes and combine with diced onions. Then, using cheesecloth or a paper towel, remove all the moisture. Then combine potatoes, onion, garlic, eggs, flour and salt together in a bowl.
- Heat a large pan over medium high heat and add oil and continue to heat. You know it is hot enough when you drop a bit of the latkes batter and it starts to sizzle.
- Drop large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the oil, and flatten them down to form 1/2 inch patties. Brown on one side, and then flip and brown the other.
- Place on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve hot with applesauce!
Applesauce
Ingredients:
- 4 cups apples – peeled and chopped (I used fuji, but most sweet apples work great!)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 cup white sugar
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, water, and spices. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in sugar, and simmer 5 more minutes.
25 Comments
What an incredible treat for Chanukah!!!! You can smell the goodness just by looking at the photos. Can’t wait to see what else you come up with.
This makes me hungry. Can you ship them from Austin?
Absolutely! One order of latkes on the way.
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
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I think this’ll me my appetizer this coming SHabbes!thanks.
Yay- my first recipe!
Came out great, you’re first recipe is already one of my favourites!
Yay!! Good ole classic sweet potato latkes.
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