My dad died when I was 9, but prior to that we had such amazing Hanukkahs. I was just posting on FB that I remember the joy of the first night; how carefully we chose our gifts. A Lite-Brite! Barbie townhouse. Barbie everything. I had so little time with my dad and I really understand digging deep in that file cabinet trying to pry out every memory. Discerning between a real memory and a story that I’ve been told. To me Hanukkah is still a bit magical, and so are latkes! Going to try your recipe.
Everybody loves latkes and how many knuckles have been scraped on the old box graters? I was so excited to find that I could order another disk for my food processor that was a finer grate. I finely shred and transfer them to a large bowl and fill with cold water to cover and set aside 15 minutes. Then mix everything else in the food processor and later pour over the dried out potatoes. We have an almost identical recipe but I use an onion, 1 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper and cook in hard Crisco. When you take the potatoes out of the bowl and drain and squeeze between 2 large cloth towels, get the starch at the bottom of the bowl. Like pancakes, cook 3 at a time, then put on a rack in oven at 250 to keep warm - add more oil as needed. Don’t drink until this is over. SO good.
Thanks for sharing your mother's recipe! You asked for suggestions for getting the excess liquid out of the vegetables - I like using a potato ricer to squeeze out excess liquid from the shredded potatoes. Doing it over a bowl means you can retain the potato starch that settles on the bottom by pouring off the liquid and adding the starch back into the latke mix.
I teared up while reading this. We’ve all had our equivalent of “the Hanukkah essay”. I’ve apologized more in my 30s/40s to my parents than I ever have before. Maybe it’s because they’re getting older too, and the best memories as a family are behind us?
This is such a great story Ben-I love your writing style! I’ve never had a Latke & I’ve been wanting to try them. I’m gonna give your mom’s recipe a try! Thanks for sharing!
I love latkes, and it does seem that there are as many recipes for them as there are stars in the sky. I just read a great recipe yesterday (maybe on Food 52?) that contains dill. I’m open to trying!
My dad died when I was 9, but prior to that we had such amazing Hanukkahs. I was just posting on FB that I remember the joy of the first night; how carefully we chose our gifts. A Lite-Brite! Barbie townhouse. Barbie everything. I had so little time with my dad and I really understand digging deep in that file cabinet trying to pry out every memory. Discerning between a real memory and a story that I’ve been told. To me Hanukkah is still a bit magical, and so are latkes! Going to try your recipe.
your story made me tear up!!! what vivid nostalgia. thank you for sharing this- can't wait to try this recipe!
Everybody loves latkes and how many knuckles have been scraped on the old box graters? I was so excited to find that I could order another disk for my food processor that was a finer grate. I finely shred and transfer them to a large bowl and fill with cold water to cover and set aside 15 minutes. Then mix everything else in the food processor and later pour over the dried out potatoes. We have an almost identical recipe but I use an onion, 1 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper and cook in hard Crisco. When you take the potatoes out of the bowl and drain and squeeze between 2 large cloth towels, get the starch at the bottom of the bowl. Like pancakes, cook 3 at a time, then put on a rack in oven at 250 to keep warm - add more oil as needed. Don’t drink until this is over. SO good.
amazing tips!!
Thanks for sharing your mother's recipe! You asked for suggestions for getting the excess liquid out of the vegetables - I like using a potato ricer to squeeze out excess liquid from the shredded potatoes. Doing it over a bowl means you can retain the potato starch that settles on the bottom by pouring off the liquid and adding the starch back into the latke mix.
AH! It's time for a potato ricer.
Ben, is your mom Amy Mandelker the Russian Literature scholar?
Alas no!
I’m sure your mother is equally amazing. I love your podcast. Thank you for that.
I teared up while reading this. We’ve all had our equivalent of “the Hanukkah essay”. I’ve apologized more in my 30s/40s to my parents than I ever have before. Maybe it’s because they’re getting older too, and the best memories as a family are behind us?
Thank you for this. I adore your writing.
This is such a great story Ben-I love your writing style! I’ve never had a Latke & I’ve been wanting to try them. I’m gonna give your mom’s recipe a try! Thanks for sharing!
I love latkes, and it does seem that there are as many recipes for them as there are stars in the sky. I just read a great recipe yesterday (maybe on Food 52?) that contains dill. I’m open to trying!
I LOVE dill. I may look into this.