29.11.10

Latkes

Potato pancakes are traditionally served at Hanukkah.  
Jews eat foods cooked in oil to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah.  
After the desecration of the the Temple there was only enough oil left to light the menorah for one night. 
Then a miracle happened there (Israel) and the oil lasted for eight days. 
Potato pancakes are a staple for many different cultures, especially in Eastern Europe.  
I grew up eating these as a quick and easy meal.  
During the year we often make 'fritki' (Polish for Hash browns) and really it's the same recipe.  
There are many variations, this is the one I use:
5 potatoes
1 onion
1 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of salt
dash of pepper
2 tablespoons of matzah meal
2 eggs
oil for frying
Peel the potatoes



















Grate the potatoes and onion
mix up the eggs
Squeeze as much of the liquid as possible out of the potatoes-
this makes them crispier
Add all the dry ingredients then mix in the eggs
Fry them up
Eat them- or quick freeze them on a cookie sheet then transfer to an air tight container-
Traditionally they are served with apple sauce and sour cream.

Our family tradition is to have a Latke Party where we blast Hanukkah tunes construct an assembly line and make several batches (over a hundred) then freeze them so they are ready to bake and serve when we host our Hanukkah parties. 
I generally serve them as an appetizer as well as a 'kids meal' option during our annual bash. 


40 comments:

Jude said...

These look so delicious and you make it sound so easy to make, I'm tempted to try this out!

Hope you had a terrific thanksgiving!

vintch said...

Oh YUM! These look awesome! What a fun tradition to share with your family, and such a good idea to conduct an assembly line. You'll get to the final, delicious product faster:)

Grace said...

YUM! I love these. Thanks for the recipe. My best friend/roomie in college was Jewish and I got a taste of some yummy food - I love matzah ball soup. I can do without the gefilte fish, however!

Looks like you guys had fun making these together.

tulpen said...

These look so effing yummy.

Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat. said...

Mmm, those look delish! May have to try...

XO
Lenore

Unknown said...

my Dad makes these all the time - i always thought it was a Polish think - never knew it was a Jewish thing - learn somethign everyday!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I should not read blogs before I eat breakfast. I love these but have never made them myself. Can't imagine that you make 100, whew. Didn't know the story about the oil, very interesting.

Anonymous said...

These look delicious! I like hash browns.

Kristin H said...

How cute they are helping out.
Love Latkes!!!

Melissa said...

I LOVE latkes! I can't believe Hanukkah's already two days away, have a great time!

Laura Wynn said...

mmm, I love these! So good.

k said...

it is kind of like rösti that we eat here all the time! sooo good :)

Claire Kiefer said...

YUM! I love anything that has to do with potatoes. And your comment cracked me up today--"that's exactly what I look like when I wear red." HA! That girl has one seriously curvaceous body. Plus, it's pretty clear that good ol' Reggie has a type, huh?

Rita said...

Hey Ren!
They look delicious! I make Polish "placki ziemniaczane" using almost the same recipe( I also add lots of garlic;)and when I don't have time (so..almost always;) I blend everything instead grating potatoes and onion <--don't you cry grating onion?;)

hugs
Just

Valarie said...

I love latkes and am looking forward to this weeks hanukkah parties.
It looks like you are having a very fun time. Enjoy your celebrations.

Unknown said...

I love Latkes any time of the year!

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

Mmmmm I love potato pancakes!

Signe said...

Oh these look yummy! And looks like you guys had fun making them as well :)

Hugs,
Signe

drollgirl said...

these look SCRUMPTIOUS! i want some! i NEED some!!!

Emma said...

Yum! These look really tasty :)

and flowers pick themselves said...

thanks SO much for sharing! i'm adding these to the "things to make over winter break" list.

:)

xo Alison

Mama Gone Green said...

mmmmm.... yummy!

Phoenix said...

These looks incredibly delicious. Thanks for sharing! I think I'm somewhat unnaturally obsessed with potatoes ;) Is it okay if I cheat and put a little cheese on top of mine?

A Crimson Kiss said...

Mmmmm, latkes! I miss Hanukkah dinners with my parents' best friends-she made the most delicious latkes!

Dani G said...

Looks so delicious!!

Happy Hanukkah!

Unknown said...

I am DROOLING and sooo ready for Wednesday night (which also happens to be our wedding anniversary!). I love latkes!
;-)

essbesee said...

will try your recipe. b. says they are great with sour cream and caviar. i've never tried that...hmmm. yum.

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Looks like your two 'monkeys' are great helpers! And boy, those potato pancakes look yummy!

Pat Tillett said...

They look good enough to eat! It's very nice that your kids are involved with so much!

jacqueline said...

Dearest sweet ren, these loooks yummmieee...i love pancakes and these are like a must try!! Thanks so much for sharing them with us! Loving these gorgeous photos lots! They made me smile. Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

heather said...

Ren, I love your rendition of the recipe photo shoot, and seeing your monkeys busy on the cooking circuit! They are always so concentrated, very zen. :)

Clair said...

These look delicious. In our house we just called them potatoe pancakes and I always sprinkled sugar on mine. The pictures of your helpers are a delight. They are so into their roles as chefs.
Clair

Galit said...

Happy Hanukkah dear!
I'm also making these latkes nothing, only I oven bake them instead of frying. It comes up really nice! (although I know I'm missing the point a bit...)

shayndel said...

Yum! Looks great. Any ideas what to substitute for matzoh meal? (I'm sure I can't find it here:). I just made knishes for the first time in my life! THey were delicious, so now I"m feeling adventurous to introduce other treats from my culinary culture to my daughter in Japan:)

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

jgy- I would just use bread crumbs-or nothing-it's really just for the extra support in binding-

Diana Mieczan said...

I love them...My dad used to make them when I was little..Thanks for the amazing reminder:) I must do them:)
Kisses, my dear

W-S Wanderings said...

Oh, YUM! Now I'm hungry :-)

Blessings...

Unknown said...

Delicious and so easy to make. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

delicious! xo m.

shopgirl said...

This looks fun and delicious!

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