It is day two of Hanukkah, an eight day, eight night celebration honoring the Jewish culture. Families light Hanukkah candles in a Menorah every night and exchange gifts as well as play the Dreidel. Families also enjoy latkes, a traditional food made from potatoes and fried in oil.
Hanukkah began on December 20th and runs through December 28th.
If you'd like to try making latkes yourself, try the recipe below from Pip and Miriam Meyerson.
MATZOH MOMMA’S POTATO LATKES
By Pip and Miriam Meyerson
Makes 2 dozen latkes
- 3 pounds potatoes, peeled (3 to 4 potatoes)
- 1 onion, minced
- 3 eggs
- 3 tablespoons matzo meal or flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup peanut oil
- Applesauce and sour cream, for serving
Grate potatoes (medium grate) into a large bowl. Rinse the potatoes by covering with water and then draining water from mixture, squeezing out as much water as possible.
Add the onions, eggs, matzo meal, salt, and pepper to the potatoes and mix well.
Preheat the peanut oil in large fry pan to medium-high heat (325° to 350°). Ladle out ¼ cup of the latke mixture into the pan and flatten with a spatula. Fry until the edges are golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat until all the potato mixture is used, adding oil as necessary.
Keep cooked latkes in a warm (250°) oven.
Jconnect and Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation is holding LatkePalooza 2011, the biggest Jewish party you'll find on Christmas Eve. They're taking over The Baltic Room on Capitol Hill with DJs and drinks all night long. For more information, go to LatkePalooza 2011 webpage.
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