Hanukkah is just around the corner and to celebrate we wanted to share this delicious vegan Latkes (לאַטקע) recipe. While I'm not Jewish myself, I am a massive fan of fried potatoes and pancakes.
'Latkes 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.' Read more.
Ingredients for Vegan Hanukkah Latkes with a spanish twist thanks to One Green Planet.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbs. ground flaxseed + 6 Tbs. warm water
- 1 ½ lbs. baking potatoes (about 2 potatoes), grated
- ½ yellow onion, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- 1 Tbs. fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. chile powder
- 1 tsp. Kosher salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Method:
1. Mix the flaxseed with the water in a small bowl and let sit to thicken. Meanwhile, grate the potatoes. Wrap them in a clean dishtowel and squeeze the excess liquid out of them. Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Grate the onion and squeeze the onion to remove the excess liquid. Add the onion to the potatoes.
2. Add the flaxseed/water mixture to the bowl. This is your binder. Add all the other ingredients to the bowl and mix well. Use your judgment whether the mixture feels like it will hold; if it feels very loose, add more flour (you could also add some potato starch if you want).
3. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Using a tablespoon/soup spoon, carefully place spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the pan. Flatten each latke with the back of the spoon. Cook until browned, about 4 minutes, then flip and cook the other side, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle with salt.
4. Make sure the oil stays hot but is not too hot. If the outsides of the latkes are browned before the potato cooks, it's too hot. Add more oil as needed between batches. Keep the latkes warm by placing them in a 200 degree oven on a baking sheet with a cooling rack on top, covered with foil. This makes about 15 -18 latkes. Garnish with cilantro.
