Infinite Light Cooking / Classic latkes with a twist
KIMBERLY DUEÑAS @kimberlyariella
My favorite Hanukkah memory: Jewish holidays were always the busiest and tastiest part of the year for my family's bakery. Each festival, we would get dozens of orders for traditional foods, like Rosh Hashanah honey cake and Passover macaroons, but for me it was always about the Hanukkah treats. I would wait all year long for the oily jelly donuts, freshly iced dreidel cookies, and of course the greasy, savory latkes. I felt especially important in my role as order prepper—folding dozens of pink boxes to make it possible for local Jewish community members to enjoy these delicacies, too. So each year I remember the freshly baked joy that was made even sweeter by sharing it with others.
1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or matzo meal, highly recommended!)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 scallions, finely chopped (optional)
3 fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped (optional)
Sour cream and/or apple sauce for topping
Peel the sweet potatoes. Grate the sweet potatoes and onion, using a food processor grating disc or a coarse grater. Transfer to a large bowl. Beat the eggs with salt and pepper and add to the potato mixture. Add flour and mix well.
Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a heavy 10- to 12-inch skillet, preferably non-stick. Fill 1/4 of a measuring cup with the sweet potato mixture, pressing to compact. Turn out and mound and place into skillet. Quickly form 3 more mounds. Flatten each with the back of a spoon so each cake is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, pressing to compact.
Fry over medium heat for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Turn carefully with 2 slotted spatulas and fry second side for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels. Stir the potato mixture before frying each new batch and add a little more oil to the pan. Serve hot. And finally, top with your fave sour cream and/or apple sauce!
