latkes

Fried potato cakes

Latkes are potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Hanukkah.

Grated potatoes are mixed with onion, egg, and flour, then fried until crisp and golden.

They're typically served with applesauce or sour cream: My grandmother's latkes were always the highlight of the holiday.

The dish commemorates the miracle of oil central to the Hanukkah story.

cuisine

Ashkenazi

Jews of European descent

onion · grated · eggs · flour · schmaltz · savory · Yiddish · kosher · kugel · gefilte

Hanukkah

menorah

Jewish ceremonial lampstand

  • dreidelHebrew-lettered spinning top
  • geltSlang for cash
  • miracleSupernatural occurrence beyond explanation

oil · eight · nights · candles · Maccabees · festival · rededication · temple · Judah · Chanukah

preparation

grated

Reduced by abrasion

seasoned · formed · patties · flipping · spatula · skillet · pan-frying · sizzling · browning · draining

texture

crispy

Brittle and snapping

crust · crunch · browned · flaky · crispness · tender · soft · interior · contrast · shatteringly

variations

zucchini

Elongated green summer squash

  • carrotEdible orange taproot
  • beetDark red root vegetable
  • cheeseFermented milk solid

leek · scallion · corn · ricotta · cauliflower · spinach · butternut · parsnip · apple · topping

Categories
Opposites
hanukkah foods vs non-jewish holiday foods

latkesChristmas ham

Festive glazed pork dish

Easter eggs · hot cross buns · Christmas pudding · candy canes · fruitcake

fried vs non-fried preparations

latkesbaked potato

Oven-roasted whole tuber

boiled potatoes · mashed potatoes · hash browns · potato salad

Hanukkah foods vs. other Jewish holiday foods

latkesmatzah

Unleavened ritual flatbread

hamantaschen · charoset · gefilte fish · challah · apples and honey

Family

latke, latkas

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G