I Love You a Latke
Posted: | Categories: Substack Archives | Tags:substackOf all the traditional holiday foods, latkes are my favorite. What’s not to like? They’re fried potatoes! Today, I’m sharing three incredible latke recipes, plus my tips on how to make the best latkes so they’re perfectly crisp and what I serve them with. I love the flyaways, too—the little shards of potato that pop out of the edges for a delicious, crunchy bite. The frying process takes longer than you think, so be patient and you’ll be rewarded with the most perfect vessel. I hope this inspires you to make them, too.
Here’s what’s on the menu this week:
Tips for Making Perfect Latkes
Mini Latke Salad (plus a variation if you don’t want to make a million tiny latkes)
Potato Latkes + The Perfect Latke Board
Veggie Latkes
Tips for Making Perfect Latkes
Grate the potatoes and onion by hand, not a food processor - this is the grater I use
Squeeze out as much moisture as you possibly can, either using a kitchen towel or cheesecloth
Add baking powder to make them crunchy
Flip with tongs to avoid splashing oil
Cook latkes in a high-walled pan rather than a shallow frying pan
Place finished latkes over a paper towel (this works better than paper bags or wire racks)
Sprinkle with salt immediately after removing from the pan
Reheat leftovers in a toaster/toaster oven so they get crispy again
Mini Latke Salad with Dill-Feta Vinaigrette
If you have a lot of patience and spare time, mini latkes are the cutest crouton you could make around the holidays. (You know I love potatoes as croutons!) But if you’re not interested in standing over the stove forever, make the salad and the dill-feta vinaigrette and serve it over a regular-size latke. It’ll taste just as good and be a gorgeous addition to your Hanukkah table.
Potato Latkes + The Perfect Latke Board
This is my tried-and-true recipe for perfectly crispy potato latkes. I’d be thrilled to eat these on their own, but with the right toppings, you can make it into an incredible spread for everyone to enjoy.
Veggie Latkes
If you want to mix things up with your traditional latkes or just add a little more nutrients, this version includes shredded carrots and zucchini in addition to potatoes. Top them as you would regular latkes and get ready to enjoy the perfect crunchy pieces.
