Chanukah has
always been this "potato pancake holiday" in my house. No matter what I
serve, my family likes simple crispy potato latkes best. Yet in this
vastly changing landscape of food, I have tried all different kinds:
zucchini, beet, sweet potato, and even celery root. However, the
favorite is still simple potato.
Potatoes are
typically fried or drenched in fatty sauces, but a potato on its own is
remarkably low in calories (at 132 per cup). This humble vegetable is
also high in vitamins C and B6, providing about 25 percent of the daily
requirements for each nutrient.
Did you know that
potatoes have only been part of this holiday since the 18th century,
when they came to Europe from the New World. The word latkes stuck,
coming from "platke" in Ukrainian and potato pancakes spread throughout
Europe. They came to the United States with immigrants from Eastern
Europe at the end of the 19th century.
Ever since I can
remember, I have celebrated Hanukkah lighting candles each night for
eight nights to recall the miracle of the oil. We always have a
tradional feast of slowly cooked brisket (or for the vegetarian lots of
great sautéed veggies), complemented by crisp fragrant potato latkes
cooked in oil (now in this healthy style, baked) and, of course,
homemade applesauce. It's delicious!
Potato Latkes
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 egg whites
- Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Peel, cut and shred potatoes and onion, using either a grater or a food processor.
Place a large cookie sheet in hot oven.
Empty shredded potatoes and onion into a colander and squeeze out as much excess moisture as you can.
Transfer potato and onion mixture to a large bowl. Add flour, egg whites and black pepper, and combine well with a fork.
Remove cookie sheet from oven. Coat with nonstick cooking spray
Form 2-2 1/2-inch flattened rounds with the potato mixture and place on hot cookie sheet.
Return cookie sheet to oven and cook for 7-8 minutes each side, until crisp and golden.
Makes 12-15 latkes.
Serve with low-fat sour cream, homemade applesauce, or for a real indulgence, smoked salmon and or caviar!
Enjoy!!! Happy Chanukah!!!
For more information, contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com
