Potato Pancake

Potato Pancake

Potato pancakes are shallow-fried pancakes of grated or ground potato, flour and egg, often flavored with grated onion or garlic and seasoning. Potato pancakes may be topped with a variety of condiments, ranging from the savory (such as sour cream or cottage cheese) to the sweet (such as apple sauce or sugar), or they may be served ungarnished. Potato pancakes are sometimes made from mashed potatoes to produce pancake-shaped croquettes.

Latkes (Yiddish: לאַטקע) are traditionally eaten by Jews during the Hanukkah festival. The oil for cooking the latkes is symbolic of the oil from the Hanukkah story that kept the Second Temple of ancient Israel lit with a long-lasting flame that is celebrated as a miracle. Prior to the introduction of the potato to the Old World, latkes were, and in some places still are, made from a variety of other vegetables, cheeses, legumes, or starches, depending on the available local ingredients and foods of the various places where Jews lived. Despite the popularity of latkes and tradition of eating them during Hanukkah, they are hard to come by in stores or restaurants in Israel, having been largely replaced by the Hanukkah doughnut due to local economic factors, convenience and the influence of trade unions.

The word "latke" itself is derived (via Yiddish) from the Russian/Ukrainian word латка meaning "patch." The word לביבה leviva, the Hebrew name for latke, has its origins in the Book of Samuel's description of the story of Amnon and Tamar.Some interpreters have noted that the homonym לבב levav means "heart," and the verbal form of l-v-v occurs in the Song of Songs as well.

Latkes need not necessarily be made from potatoes. Numerous modern recipes call for the addition of ingredients such as onions and carrots.

Originally found here Image by Jonathunder from here.

Related Articles

More From Holy Days Articles

Image celebrating Shavuot: 10 Commandments on 2 stone tablets

Shavuot

Shavuot means weeks, and it is one of the feasts of the LORD mentioned in the Torah.
Shavuot

A Meditation in Time

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5
A Meditation in Time
Sukkot the Forgotten Holy Day

Sukkot the Forgotten Holy Day

Many non-Jews are familiar with Passover, Chanukah, and the High Holy Day days of Rosh Hashanah…
Sukkot the Forgotten Holy Day

Spinach Matzo Balls

Editor's note: This recipe is part of Susie Fishbein's Tricolor Matzo Ball soup.Due to the high…
Spinach Matzo Balls

Passover Baklava Cake

This rich, nutty confection is soaked in a honey-citrus syrup, giving it a flavor much like…
Passover Baklava Cake

Sweet Potato Kugel

SWEET POTATO KUGEL(From No Cholesterol Passover Recipes, by Debra Wasserman)Serves 12.…
Sweet Potato Kugel
10th plague of Egypt

Passover

The Passover is a very important Holy Day in Jewish history. The Passover begins the day before…
Passover
Western Wall Prayers and Letters

Letters to God

As the High Holy Days approached, Danny Goldstein, the Post Director in Israel, met with Rabbi…
Letters to God

Passover Pineapple Crumble

Matzo meal makes a perfect crumble topping for a fruity dessert to round out the Passover meal.…
Passover Pineapple Crumble

Yeshua Offers Living Water

In Yeshua's day, a common practice during the seven days of Sukkot was that of a Nisuch…
Yeshua Offers Living Water
What is a Dreidel Really?

What is a Dreidel Really?

Dreidels are often used to play a game during Hanukkah to win chocolate coins also known as…
What is a Dreidel Really?

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation