What are latkes? It's a vegetable usually a tuber almost always potatoes, shredded and fried. It's that simple. It's special for the Jewish Festival of Lights Hanukkah.

Latkes are special to Hanukah because of the miracle of oil. Hanukkah is the festival of freedom, lights and miracles. When the Greeks ransacked the temple in Jerusalem (165 BC) and put up idols, the Jewish people rebelled. The Jews under Judah Maccabee gathered an army of farmers and shepherds. They fought back Antiochus the Greek leader. When the Jews regained the temple, they only found one small container of oil. There was only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. The oil miraculously lasted for eight days and nights.

Lighting a menorah, playing with dreidels and eating potato pancakes are traditional ways to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah. Every night, Jews light a candle on a nine-branched menorah. People light one candle on the first night and an additional candle each following night. Fried foods like potato pancakes (latkes) are special treats this time of year.

Latkes are a cheap way to celebrate. They are a breakfast, lunch, snack or a light meal. Watch the latkes disappear as soon as they leave the frying pan!

Here’s what’s in a Latke:

Vegetables:

Almost any tuber, thick vegetable could be a latke. It’s a great idea to experiment.

Potatoes: By far the most popular ingredient in latkes. Thick skinned, Baker, Russet, Idaho and Yukon Gold are the best. It’s your choice to peel or scrub. This is the traditional latkes, the one most people want. Spices: lt, pepper and if you’re Hungarian – paprika or cayenne pepper or herbs like ground parsley, basil and tarragon.

Sweet Potato and Yams: For something just a bit different. Just a bit more nutrition. They actually work well. They also add color to a time of year when there isn’t much. Spices: ginger, cloves or coriander.

Zucchini: If you’re looking for a low carb alternative try zucchini. Here’s the recipe.

Carrots: Lots of great color. You may need a bit more flour. Spices: ground ginger and cloves.

These are all the ones I’ve tried if you’ve made latkes out of another vegetable please say in the discussion.

The Oil: Use canola or vegetable shortening. How much oil you use depends on how crisp you want it. Some people like it crisp but others like a lighter less greasy taste.

Eggs: It all needs to stick together.

Flour and alternatives: You can also use almond flour and matzo meal in the same portions as regular flour.

Onions: Use white onions or you can substitute green onions.

Tips:

• Draining the shredded the vegetables is key to a good crisp latke. I use a white towel and squeeze it all the moisture out.
• Make sure the oil is hot before you put the latkes in.
• When finished put the latkes on paper towels to get rid of excess oil.
• Many hands make light work and that's especially true of latkes!

Here’s a traditional recipe for potato pancakes or latkes:

• 2 cups grated raw potatoes (use Baker, Idaho, Russet or Yukon Gold)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. Baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp. Salt
• Pepper to taste
• Paprika to taste
• 1 tbsp. flour
• 1 small onion
• Oil for frying

Grate potatoes and drain well. Blend all remaining ingredients. Heat oil in large skillet and fry till brown on both sides. Serve with apple- sauce or sour cream.

If you want something healthier and bit less traditional, make it with yams.

Yam Latkes

• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 grated large yam
• 1 grated shallot or chopped green onion
• 1 tsp. Ground clove
• 1 tsp Ground ginger
• Oil for frying

Mix water, flour, and eggs separately. Squeeze liquid from grated yams. Add onion or shallot, put garlic clove through garlic press or grate and sprinkle on ground clove. Stir together flour mixture with grated yams together till an even consistency. Pat mixture into 3” patties. Fry in 1” oil in a large frying pan turning over as they turn brown. Adjust temperature as needed. Place patties on paper towels to drain oil. Serve hot.

It's great with sour cream! *

Here are more latke recipes from Michael Vyskocil - Latkes for Hanukkah

Also traditional for Hanukkah - Beef Brisket.

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