Just one recipe for Latkes (Potato pancakes) - for the last day of Hanukkah

There are many ways of making potato pancakes (Latkes), this one is fairly easy & straight forward. (You can substitute zucchini for 90% of the potato - par bake the potato that you do use because the zucchini cooks more quickly - squeeze out all of the liquid, sweet potatoes work nicely - par bake them first...)

Ingredients

1 pound (450 g) potatoes, peeled

1/2 cup onion, finely chopped (or to taste - I don't measure & probably use more)

1 large egg, beaten

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (you can substitute, cracker, matzo, or bread crumbs here.)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup canola oil (vegetable oil)

Preparation

1. shred the potatoes with a grater 

2. put potatoes & onions on paper towels & squeeze out the liquid

3. In a bowl, mix together the potatoes & onions with the egg, flour & salt

4. heat half of the oil in skillet until very hot, then scoop mounds of the potato mixture (about 2 tablespoons each) into pan. Do not crowd the pan.

5. press the mounds down with spatula to flatten. reduce heat & cook until the bottoms are golden, about 5 minutes. flip & cook until golden on the other side. Remove to paper towel to drain. Repeat using the remaining oil  as needed.

6. Serve immediately, or transfer to an oven safe dish & keep in a warm oven (250F or 120C) until ready to serve.

Serve with applesauce & or sour cream.

An applesauce recipe

Ingredients

4 apples, peeled, cored & diced (I get 4 different apples - since some breakdown while cooking & others do not)

3/4 cup water

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or apple pie spice mix)

Preparation

1. stir together all ingredients in a medium sauce pan

2. cover sauce pan & cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Remove from heat & allow to cool.

3. Using a potato masher, mash mixture until your applesauce is as chunky or smooth as you like.