Variegated Spiced Latkes

By • November 19, 2010 • 130 Comments


Author Notes: With a decade of experimentation making latkes, my favorites are made from a combination of russet potatoes, sweet potato, parsnip, yellow onion and fresh ginger. I like the addition of fresh milled pepper and fennel. Peanut oil is best for frying these if you want that golden crunchy brown on the outside without such fear of charring. If you have allergies, you want to use a substitute oil with a high smoke point. Of course there is always schmaltz; I probably shaved years off my life using a goose fat version, for frying, while I lived in Germany, but I am staying away from that now. I also love serving these with sour cream and homemade applesauce. If you have kosher company, (or are kosher) you can't mix sour cream with the use of animal fat....so another good reason to stay away. - SagegreenSagegreen

Food52 Review: We love the lacy, tangled appearance of these deep golden latkes. The mix of sweet potato, unpeeled Russets and parsnip keeps the pancakes from being stodgy, and the fennel and fresh ginger tickle your tongue in the most pleasant of ways. It may seem like Sagegreen calls for an awful lot of flour, but there's no trace of that raw flour taste once these guys are fried. These latkes are great with sour cream and applesauce, but they're also pretty addictive with nothing more than a shower of fine sea salt. - A&MA&M

Serves 4-6

  • 1 sweet potato, pared (about 1 cup)
  • 1 parsnip, pared (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 yellow onion (@1/2 cup)
  • 2-3 russet potatoes (or yukon gold) (@2 cups)
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated (@1 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh milled ground fennel seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh milled black pepper
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 ounces flour
  • peanut or other high smoke point oil
  • homemade applesauce for serving
  • sour cream, fage, or creme fraiche for serving
  1. Hand grate the sweet potato, onion, and parsnip using the large holes into a large bowl first. I think hand grating is the only way to go for these.
  2. Wash and scrub the russet potatoes very well, leaving the skins on. Remove any imperfections. Grate these last into the bowl with the other vegetables. Add the salt, pepper, fennel, and ginger. Let rest a few minutes.
  3. Using a colander (or cheesecloth if you prefer) wring all the excess moisture from the mix. Repeat, then return to the bowl. You can also squeeze handfuls of the mix in your hands to help.
  4. Mix in the beaten eggs and flour.
  5. Generously coat the bottom of a heavy pan with peanut oil (or other suitable oil). The oil need not be deeper than 1/8 inch, if even that. If you prefer thicker latkes, then you might have up to1/4 inch oil. Heat to medium high until a drop of liquid would sizzle in the pan.
  6. Working in small batches ladle the mix to the heated pan to form 5-7 latkes with about a 3 inch diameter and about a 1/4 inch thickness after pressing down gently on the mix with a spatula. Fry each one on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until golden. Try to keep the depth of oil as low as possible, but make sure the vegetables cook through- soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside. Drain on paper towels. You should have 15-20 latkes from this recipe.
  7. Serve warm with generous dollops of sour cream and preferably homemade heirloom applesauce.

Tags: Holidays

Comments (130) Questions (1)

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5 months ago Rachel Sperber

We enjoy trying different kinds of latkes so I decided to give these a try. Honestly, they were ok but I won't be making them again. One person felt they were an Indian food inspired latkes. I love ginger but I discovered not in my latkes. I guess I'm a traditionalist because my favorite continues to be the latkes I grew up with - Kyeftes de Prasa (leek/potato latkes) - I'm of Sephardic heritage. Thanks for something new to try!

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5 months ago Sagegreen

Thanks for giving this a go. Your leek and potato combination do sound classic.

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over 1 year ago 1172 cook

I made these last night for Hanukkah and they were a big hit! Thank you.

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over 1 year ago Sagegreen

So glad you liked them. Thanks for sharing!

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over 1 year ago Sagegreen

Opps. I wanted to add Hanukkah as a category for this recipe, but guess it needs to be done by the editors now.

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over 1 year ago hardlikearmour

hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.

Since it's a winning recipe you can't edit it, even to add tags. I'm sure if you e-mail the editors they would gladly add Hanukkah as a tag!

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over 1 year ago mboerner

Ginger with latkes? What happened to authentic taste?

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over 1 year ago TiggyBee

mboerner, you need to try these, because they're really delicious! I've made them a few times and they never disappoint.

Jampro

over 1 year ago Bevi

Scroll down to see Sagegreen make this recipe on a cooking show filmed in her local area.

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over 1 year ago Sagegreen

Thanks, folks! You know if you didn't want the ginger, you could simply leave that out, or use less, as Bevi suggests. But I happen to like results of the blend of vegetables and spices in this recipe and am really happy others have too! Of course, an authentic basic latke recipe is a classic to savor.

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over 1 year ago mboerner

Ginger with latkes? What happened to authentic taste?

Jampro

over 1 year ago Bevi

I also made these. They ARE really delicious. You can also decrease the amount of ginger you use.

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about 2 years ago Erin Paup

I made these with the sweet and spicy horseradish sauce, http://www.food52.com/recipes..., and they were a smash hit! Soo good Sagegreen!

And Thanks food52 for a great food site!

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about 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks so much flavorfarm. What a great combination you made with the horseradish recipe. I will have to try that out, too.

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over 2 years ago EatDrinkLyon

Cool video!!!! Reminded me I need to make these again. So nice to see you!

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about 2 years ago Sagegreen

Many thanks. EDL!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Here is a link to a video from a local TV show where we created these live on January 19, 2011 with Channel 22 Mass Appeal under their taste appeal segment:
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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

oops, here is the link:
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp...
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over 2 years ago micki barzilay

Congratulations...Hopefully you received the e-mail I sent you also...food 52 is so much fun is'nt it...Have a happy holiday. Best, Micki

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Yes, thanks, Micki. It has been fun to get know you better through this site, too. I remember first falling in love with your snowflake plum soup that is so beautiful. Have enjoyed our email as well. Happy Holidays!

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over 2 years ago adamnsvetcooking

YaY!! Sage:)

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, adamsvetcooking! Good luck to you with the end of the term, too. Busy time!

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over 2 years ago ChefJune

Congrats on the win, Sagegreen. I love this recipe. I think next year I will use your ingredients with my food processor method for my latkes. In fact, I might not wait for next Hanukkah to give them a try.

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, ChefJune. I have never tried using a food processor for latkes. Please let me know how it works out if you do. Actually, I do not even have a food processor, only a blender!

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over 2 years ago ChefJune

hahah! and I don't have a blender! The food processor grater makes the shreds long and lacy. A blender would liquefy them.

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

LOL. That's why I stick to the old fashioned box grater!

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over 2 years ago vvvanessa

congrats and yum!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, vvvanessa! Love your mint limeade.

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over 2 years ago ashleypiersonchasesdinner

Congrats Sagegreen! I am so happy for you!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, ashley_samuel_pierson. Cooking is a such stress reliever for me, too!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Wow! I am so incredibly honored with this award. And the fact that this is the last night of Hanukkah, with all 8 candles, makes this a blessing! As my very dear Jewish friends are pointing out, this isn't bad for someone who isn't even Jewish! I have just finished teaching my last class of the term tonight. What a wonderful finish. I am so grateful to everyone for all your good wishes.

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over 2 years ago lapadia

Congratulations, Sagegreen, how sweet it is, and thanks for sharing so many of your great recipe ideas!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, lapadia....pretty soon it will be time to come back to earth.

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over 2 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian

Congrats sagegreen!!! I'm sooo happy for you! You're such a wonderfully creative addition to this site and I love seeing and trying all that you come up with!! Love this one!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, ChezSuzanne!

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over 2 years ago Stockout

Congratulations, I knew you had a winner the first time I saw this recipe. I will put it on my list of things to make that is growing longer and longer by the week. I just love this site!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks. This site is so easy to love, too!

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over 2 years ago TiggyBee

Congrats Sagegreen!! How exciting!!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, TiggyBee. I am almost giddy with excitement.

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over 2 years ago mrslarkin

Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.

Congrats Sagegreen! Great recipe!!!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, mrslarkin!

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over 2 years ago hardlikearmour

hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.

Congrats! I had a feeling you were going to win this one!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, but I really thought that I was not going to win!

Jampro

over 2 years ago Bevi

Yay Sagegreen!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Bevi!

Sausage2

over 2 years ago fiveandspice

Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, fiveandspice!

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over 2 years ago dymnyno

Congratulations on winning this contest and thank you for all your tasty recipes.

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, dymnyno. This is the hour in the sun, even though it is getting late....

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over 2 years ago cheese1227

Fabulous win!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, cheese1227! You helped me prepare for another possible loss well, though!

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over 2 years ago Midge

Hurray Sagegreen!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Midge!

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over 2 years ago gingerroot

Woo-hoo! Congratulations, Sagegreen! I am so happy for you. A well-deserved win!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, gingerroot. This is so sweet!

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over 2 years ago nannydeb

Congratulations!!!!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, nannydeb! I remember your lovely heirloom tomato win!

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over 2 years ago Kitchen Butterfly

Congrats Sagegreen. Fantastic win, fantastic recipes (as most of yours are) and very best wishes!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Kitchen Butterfly!

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over 2 years ago drbabs

Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Congratulations, Annaliese, I am so happy for you!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Barbara!

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over 2 years ago Threemealsaday

Congrats. Your efforts paid off. An interesting mixture of ingredients. I am not sure I can add creme fraiche after the south park episode :-0

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks! LOL!

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over 2 years ago mrslarkin

Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.

This was dinner tonight!! I realized I was out of fennel seed halfway through the recipe, so I subbed celery seed instead - delicious! I used my OXO potato ricer to squeeze the liquid out of the grated potatoes - works very well! Thanks, Sagegreen, for a fantastic recipe.

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over 2 years ago lapadia

I love using my potato ricer, it works great for recipes using grated zucchini too!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks so much, mrslarkin. It is always an honor when someone makes a recipe of mine! I am so glad you liked it! I will be making your sage scones later this month.

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over 2 years ago EatDrinkLyon

I have never made latkes before... until today. They were a lot of work to prepare (although having watched A&M's great video I knew what I was letting myself in for! I also rarely fry anything, being a bit of a health nut, but I had all the ingredients and gave them a go. They were great - I finally got the trick of how much mixture to use to get the right size latke, and how long to cook them for, by the final batch!

All that said, they came out great. I served them for brunch with a poached egg. I think next time I might up the salt - I use French sea salt and only used around half a teaspoon, so maybe that was my fault. They also, despite the wonderful seasoning, tasted a tiny bit bland to my taste - I couldn't detect the fennel OR the ginger, but no doubt they enhanced the flavour. I happened to have made the awesome sriracha from a previous contest, on Friday, and so we added that to make them a bit zingier!

Anyway, thanks for the recipe, for you inspired me to try something new, and to think how I might make my own additions next time, and I feel that that is what this site is all about - branching out, learning, being creative.

Congrats!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thank you so much, josefa!. It is always a great honor when someone makes your recipe. I did cut down on the amount of my spices for this recipe, because I find other folks find them too much. If you do make these again, you can play with using less oil, more ginger, more pepper, and more fennel. I would suggest you double all. When another recipe of mine was tested the amount of my suggested pepper had been reported as too zealous! I think I will add more cautionary notes about the spice amounts suggesting "to taste." This site has really inspired me to try new ideas.

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over 2 years ago Kitchen Butterfly

Congrats Sagegreen. It sounds like a great recipe with a tasty flavour profile

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thank you, Kitchen Butterfly. Your recipes are always so inspiring, you can almost taste them on the screen.

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, everyone, for all your encouragement! Thanks to A & M for selecting my recipe this week for the finals. It is a great honor. Very stiff competition against the golden panko latke, which even sounds so wonderful to say. The community at Food52 is incredibly supportive. And the themes really inspire me to think up new ideas each week. I really love being a part of the community!

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over 2 years ago fiveandspice

Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.

Hear, hear! :)

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over 2 years ago Bevi

This is so creative!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Bevi. I hope you will try them sometime.

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over 2 years ago ed one pan

greatGgreat!!!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks!

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over 2 years ago omarston

I love the diversity and attention to health in your recipes!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, o!

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over 2 years ago gingerroot

I am so thrilled you are a finalist! I had a feeling about these...can't wait to try them. Congratulations, Sagegreen!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, gingerroot! It really is thrilling, (especially during this otherwise trying week....since I had a flat tire yesterday, a tree come down earlier, and lost my favorite glasses amidst all the branches).

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over 2 years ago MyCommunalTable

Congratulations! Sound great!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, MyCommunalTable!

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over 2 years ago wanderash

great recipe! congrats Sagegreen!!!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thank you, wanderash. I love your blog! The photos are so engaging.

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over 2 years ago cookinginvictoria

Sounds really divine with the addition of sweet potatoes, parsnips and ginger. I look forward to making this recipe. Congrats on being a finalist!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, cookinginvictoria. Let me know if you make them what you think.

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over 2 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian

I love how you pulled in sweet potatoes and parsnips. I've got everything in my kitchen to make these except the white potatoes - so I'll stop and pick up some this afternoon! Can't wait to make them. And CONGRATULATIONS for being a finalist!!!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, ChezSuzanne. Russets or Yukon golds work best for the white potato. Let me know how you like them!

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over 2 years ago Kayb

Congrats! Will be trying these over the holidays!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Kayb. Let me know how you like them when you do.

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over 2 years ago lapadia

I'm thrilled for you, Sagegreen, congratulations!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thank you, lapadia!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

With regard to the amount of flour, it is pretty amazing that you can easily use 3 oz with the 2 eggs. You can also cut it down to 1 or 2 oz. or even increase it to 4 and the recipe works well. I tend to use more when I have not as vigorously squeezed out as much liquid from the mix as I could have.

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

And I would like to note that the idea for combining fennel with pepper I attribute to thirschfeld. Ever since I tested his fennel and pepper crusted swordfish this summer, I have been experimenting with that great combination in new ways.

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over 2 years ago drbabs

Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Congratulations on being a finalist! I'm so happy for you!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thank you, Barbara! It adds a spark to the week, that's for sure!

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over 2 years ago fiveandspice

Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.

Congrats! These look remarkable. Also, as a nutritionist I can assuage your fears about goose fat, it's actually not terribly bad for you at all! Better than corn or soybean oil, for sure! :)

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, fiveandspice. Good to know!

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over 2 years ago cheese1227

Yeah, so pleased to see you in the finalist slot with this lovely recipe, which, I think I am going to make for dinner!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, cheese1227! Please let me know what you think.

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over 2 years ago cheese1227

"Yum-O" was the response from my Hannukkah celebrating taster!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks so much! I am so glad you liked them. I do wish I had come up with a jazzier name for these, celebrating all the root vegetables.

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over 2 years ago nannydeb

Congrats Sagegreen! Good luck!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, nannydeb! It is exciting to be a finalist again. And if this recipe is not the winner, then I get to join pierino's exclusive club!

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over 2 years ago cheese1227

What's the club?

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Pierino's pet peeve on his cook profile is that he has been nominated twice as a finalist, but has not become one! Not a bad club at all to join.

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over 2 years ago cheese1227

Ahh, I see. I guess I am unkowingly in that club. It took me four tries.

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over 2 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian

It took me 3. Hang in there!

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over 2 years ago ashleypiersonchasesdinner

Congratulations sagegreen!! These look so good. I can't wait to try!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thank you! I hope you do!

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over 2 years ago hardlikearmour

hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.

Congrats! These look really delicious, I love your flavor combination.

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thank you hardlikearmour!

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over 2 years ago Midge

Oh yum, these look outstanding. Congrats Sagegreen!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Midge. It is exciting to be a finalist!

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over 2 years ago monkeymom

congrats to you sagegreen!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, monkeymom!

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over 2 years ago drbabs

Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Really interesting combination of flavors. And beautiful colors. Great recipe!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to you, drbabs!

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over 2 years ago cheese1227

These look fabulous!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to you, cheese1227!

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over 2 years ago gingerroot

These look and sound really delicious. Love the ginger addition. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Sagegreen!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

You as well, gingerroot! Thanks.These are delicious.

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over 2 years ago dymnyno

I wish that I had all the ingredients for this tonight...darn!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, dymnyo. I wish I could have invited you over for some. Happy Thanksgiving!

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over 2 years ago testkitchenette

I wish that fork was coming toward my mouth right now!

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

If you were my neighbor, you could stop on by! Thanks.

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over 2 years ago Lizthechef

I made a bet with myself that you would post among the first dozen and I won! Your recipe looks wonderful...

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over 2 years ago Sagegreen

Thanks, Lizthechef! I was hoping to fit in a recipe before leaving for NYC. I am bringing marzipan fruits to my opening there tomorrow! Happy Thanksgiving to you.

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over 2 years ago Lizthechef

And a Happy Thanksgiving to you, my Hungarian sister.