More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Elana Karp

GET UPDATES FROM Elana Karp
 

First Helpings: 5 Latkes For Every Holiday

Posted: 12/12/11 10:13 AM ET

With the holidays quickly approaching I decided it was time to test out some latke recipes for my First Helpings arsenal and to share with you. I came up with five amazing latkes that are perfect for Chanukah or any winter holiday. They can be served as a side dish, the main event or even as a fancy hors d'oeuvre.

Latkes are traditionally made with potato and onions, and they are delicious! However, it seems that people these days have what I like to call "potato anxiety;" a fear that potatoes are fattening and starchy and carbohydratey and terrible for you. I personally love potatoes. I love them mashed, roasted, fried, baked and of course latked. And really -- what can be so bad about something that grows in the ground? That being said, I've come up with latkes for the potato-weary and for potato lovers like me! Five latkes for every holiday and every palate.

Each of these recipes serves about 4-6 but can easily be doubled, tripled or quadrupled for crowds. If you're wondering what the one secret is to making crispy latkes it's this: drain out every last bit of liquid from the vegetables before mixing them with flour and egg, and then drain again right before putting them in the oil. The dryer the mix, the crispier the latke. You can keep them warm in a 200° oven.

Happy cooking!

For more of my recipes visit www.firsthelpings.com.

Celery Root And Parsnip Latkes
1  of  6
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
Celery root and parsnip are root vegetables that can be treated just like potatoes. They make great mashes and purees, and now I've learned they make great latkes too! If you have potato anxiety, these are the latkes for you! They taste a lot like traditional potato latkes, only a little bit sweeter.

1 celery root
1 medium parsnip
1 onion
1 egg
1.5 tbsp flour
salt, pepper
vegetable oil for frying

1. Peel and grate the celery root, parsnip, and onion with a hand grater or in a food processor.
2. Drain on a strainer lined with paper towels, cheese cloth or a dish towel .
3. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze! You may have to change the towel because it gets too saturated, but make sure you squeeze every last bit of juice from the vegetables.
4. In a large bowl mix the celery root and parsnip with egg, flour, salt and pepper.
5. Heat vegetable oil on medium high heat. Through in a tiny bit of the mix -- if it starts to sizzle, the oil is hot enough.
6. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out some of the latke mix -- strain it again by squishing the mixture against the spoon with your hand. Place in the oil and smush down.
7. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
8. Drain on a plate lined with paper towel and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
9. Serve hot.
RATE IT!   |  
VOTE
Meh ...
Yum!
CURRENT TOP 5 PICK YOUR OWN TOP 5
USERS WHO VOTED
NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

 

Follow Elana Karp on Twitter: www.twitter.com/firsthelpings

With the holidays quickly approaching I decided it was time to test out some latke recipes for my First Helpings arsenal and to share with you. I came up with five amazing latkes that are perfect for...
With the holidays quickly approaching I decided it was time to test out some latke recipes for my First Helpings arsenal and to share with you. I came up with five amazing latkes that are perfect for...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 4
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Recency  | 
Popularity
12:05 PM on 12/13/2011
what kind of potatoes would you recommend for the Classic?
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Elana Karp
05:17 PM on 12/13/2011
I love yukon gold potatoes. They're perfect for latkes and make great mashed potatoes too!
11:03 AM on 12/12/2011
If you used Matzoh instead of flour how much should it be?
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Elana Karp
12:15 PM on 12/12/2011
You should need same amount of matzoh meal as flour. Either way, the idea of using matzoh meal or flour is the same: to help the latkes bind together and to absorb some of the liquid, so use your judgement and at a little more or less as needed.