LATKES!
Potato Zucchini Latkes
Non-Fat Yogurt
Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon
Whitefish Caviar
Today is the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, referring to the lights kindled on each of the holiday’s eight nights. We eat foods fried in olive oil to commemorate the ancient miracle that occurred in the second century BCE. A jug of olive oil, which held enough oil to last for one day, burned for eight when the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated.
The word Hanukkah means rededication. Our latkes (potato pancakes) are fried in olive oil and served with yogurt. Dairy products are also a traditional Hanukkah food, in honor of our Jewish heroine, Judith.
2 peeled russet potatoes
1 zucchini
1/2 red onion
fresh dill
Grate the potato, zucchini, and onion in a food processor.
Add a handful of fresh dill.
Remove the potato mixture from the food processor, one handful at a time. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible by hand. Place each handful in a large bowl. Add enough flour to lightly coat the mixture. Add Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Mix well. Lastly add egg whites to bind the mixture.
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan. When oil is hot, add mounds of the potato mixture. Turn the heat to medium. When the bottom of each latke is nicely browned, flip and brown the other side.
Cooking latkes over medium heat turns the outside a nice crispy golden brown and gives the interior a chance to cook through. Drain on paper towels.
Since the latkes are fried, non-fat yogurt is a balanced accompaniment while egg whites help keep the cholesterol content down as well. And with the salmon’s heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, could these latkes be considered a guilt-free holiday indulgence?
Smoked salmon rosettes are made by slicing the smoked salmon into strips with one end thicker than the other. Roll the thick end towards the thin end to make a rosette. Top each latke with a small dollop of non-fat yogurt, a salmon rosette, a small scoop of whitefish caviar, and fresh chive garnish. Serve with extra yogurt and fresh dill.
Enjoy the Festival!
Happy Hanukkah!
31 comments • Filed in: Entertaining, Heart Healthy
I am not Jewish but I absolutely LOVE latkes. Your version looks fantastic, especially with the zucchini!
Best damn latkes I have ever seen!
Love the addition of Zucchini with the Latkes
Hi Lori
Looks like i have missed out on lot of your wonderful creations…..slowly going through ….as usual they are so informative and great.
One of Tash's readers sent me here. Oh my goodness. What wonderful recipes and your photography is terrific. I've been doing some food shoots and I need all the inspiration I can get. I'll send your address to my daughter who has a little catering business. I'll be back!
V
You are always right on top of things with fantastic eats!! While I am always a day late…
Happy Hanukah!!
Happy Hanukkah! What a yummy way to start.
Your latkes look fantastic! I like the addition of zucchini and using egg whites! Hope you are having a great Hanukkah celebration!
These look delicious!!
They look fantastic!I am printing the recipe.
I'm going to try them – your way. With the smoked salmon. How pretty. I adore latkes and your are so elegant. I hope the first few days of Hanukkah have been filled with light for you.
Absolutely fabulous!
Your food looks amazing, your photos are gorgeous and your nephews are adorable. It is always a pleasure to visit here Lori Lynn (if a little intimidating) I WILL learn to cook better in 2010!
xo lori
Oh, Lori, your splendid photos are making me want to celebrate Hanukkah, and I'm not even Jewish.
Happy Hanukkah to you Lori Lynn! I never saw latkes look so beautiful, leave it to you!
Those look so good!
I have a house filled with visitors and always hungry tummies to fill….. this is such a scrumptious snack!!!!
What a beautiful plate of latkes! Happy Holidays!
Happy Hanukkah! These look absolutely delicious!
Happy Hanukkah! I really like your decorations for the latkes.
I just read all the posts your published while I was away. It is like going on an adventure full of color, sound and beautifully appetizing food. I did not know about the foodbuzz convention in SF, it must have been a great adventure for your palate among other things. Your BLT quiche sounds delicieuse – forget my arteries! I am also copying your recipe for the latkes with zucchini – they look quite delicate and crunchy. Happy Hanukkah and Shabbat Shalom.
Wow LL – yum yum. I like the additions to your latkes. Happy Hanukkah and btw I heard if you eat them standing up they have no calories.
Oh vey this is a Jewish delight! Lox and latkes… I'm all vaklempt! Truly looks scrumptious, fantastic post and photo. Happy Hanukkah to you and yours
Your guests are very lucky to have you at the stove and the head of the table. I enjoyed your explanation of the tradition of 'oil'…and those latkes are to die for. I wish my corner deli made them like that!
Your latkes looks sensational. Love the non-traditional twist. Happy Channukah!
Wow beautiful and sounds delicious! Happy Hannukah!
Hmm… the Latkes look delicious, minus the salmon 'cause I'm a vegetarian, but still very yummy looking!
Btw, Happy Hannukah to you all.
What a beautiful platter! I have yet to try original yummy latkes, but a friend of mine has said she is bring some over…
An elegant touch to a traditional dish. I never met a latke I didn't like. and I like this one a lot!
Happy Hanukkah!!
Happy Hanukkah!
Yum, yum. Ready for these goodies. thanks.