
Potato latkes made the traditional way by Eileen Goldfinger in our OG kitchen. All photos by Blogfinger.net.
Latkes became a tradition during Hanukkah in 16th century Italy invented by a rabbi. The religious connection is that the latkes must be fried in vegetable oil to suggest the “miracle of the oil” which is part of the Hanukkah tradition.
Paul and I rarely eat anything fried, but we will make an exception once or twice during Hanukkah. Here is Eileen’s delicious authentic latke recipe:
Ingredients:
6 medium peeled russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
2 medium cooking onions
2 large eggs
2-3 tablespoons of flour
1 teaspoon of salt (add more or less to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
vegetable oil
Preparation:
Line a large bowl with cheese cloth so that it drapes over the sides of the bowl.
Use a box grater and alternate grating onions and potatoes.
Grate the potatoes on small holes, and the onions on the large holes. Start with an onion. This keeps the potatoes from discoloring.
Gather the cheese cloth and squeeze as much liquid from the mixture into the bowl.
Allow the liquid to settle for at least 15 minutes.
Pour off the liquid leaving a starchy sediment at the bottom of the bowl. Mix the potato/onion mixture into the bowl with the starchy sediment.
Beat two large eggs and add the eggs to the mixture.
Add salt, pepper and flour to the mixture.
Stir all the ingredients together.
Cooking:
Preheat 1 inch of oil in a 12 inch or larger frying pan.
When the oil begins to shimmer, form latkes in your hand as large as you like them to be, but flatten them and place them in the oil.
Cook them on medium heat until the bottom of the latke has turned golden brown and then flip them over and repeat.
When they are done frying place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Serve the traditional way with apple sauce and/or sour cream.
You can keep them warm in a 200 degree oven on a tray while cooking more latkes.
This recipe serves 4.
Mazel Tov! You have participated in an authentic Hanukkah tradition. Enjoy!
THE MACCABEATS. “Latke Recipe.”