Latkes frying. These latkes were made with potatoes grated into long strips.
Deruny or draniki in a traditional crock dish.
"Latka" redirects here. For the character from Taxi, see Latka Gravas.
Potato pancakes, also known as latkes or latkas (Yiddish: לאַטקעס, Hebrew: לביבה levivah, plural לביבות levivot), are shallow-fried pancakes of grated potato and egg, often flavored with grated onion. Potato pancakes may be topped with a variety of condiments, ranging from the savory (such as sour cream) to the sweet (such as applesauce or sugar), or they may be served ungarnished. Potato pancakes are sometimes made from mashed potatoes to produce pancake-shaped croquettes.[1]
Potato pancakes are commonly associated with traditional Czech, Ukrainian, Yiddish, German and Polish cuisine, although other cuisines (including those of India and Korea) also have similar potato pancakes.[2] It is also the national dish of Belarus. In Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian cuisines potato pancakes are commonly known as deruny (Ukrainian: деруни) or draniki (Russian: драники). In Bavaria, Germany, potato pancakes are also very much liked under the name Reiberdatschi or Kartoffelpuffer, and they are eaten either salty as a side dish or sweet with apple sauce and cinnamon.
Latkes are traditionally eaten during the JewishHanukkah festival. The custom probably came from a preference for fried food to celebrate the miracle involving olive oil in the Second Temple of ancient Israel.citation needed
Sample recipe for traditional latkes
3/4 cup bread crumbs (dry)
2 1/2 cups potatoes (grated, and squeezed dry)
1 small onion (grated)
1 egg (beaten)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sage
1 tsp. baking powder
dash of pepper
Instructions: Mix all ingredients until well blended. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls onto hot, greased skillet. Spread the batter and brown pancakes on both sides. Serve hot.[3]
