For my family, latkes are the food that we think of when someone says “secret family recipe”. In fact, there is no written recipe, just what is in my Grandma’s head from when her mother taught her how to make latkes as a little girl. My Grandma’s mother (my GG Annie) was Jewish which is why I have chosen to include two Jewish dishes in my blog. Latkes are a traditional Jewish dish eaten during Hanukkah and are similar to a potato pancake. Every year my cousin and I help our Grandma cook latkes around the Hanukkah season, but it usually ends up being more towards New Years because we aren’t Jewish and don’t celebrate Hanukkah.

My Grandma gave me permission to share the recipe, but I must warn you that the measurements are not an exact science because my Grandma does not even know herself how much of each ingredient she puts in. This recipe makes about 35-40 latkes, which is much smaller than our normal batch which makes enough for 20 people.

• 5 red potatoes
• ¾ of a yellow onion
• 3 tbps flour
• 1 egg
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley to taste (estimate)
• Canola oil

1. Peel the potatoes and onions, cut into chunks, and put in a bowl with cold water for at least an hour (can be longer)
2. Put chunks into a food processor about two handfuls at a time. Process until no more large chunks and empty into a bowl.
3. Add the flour, onion, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley to your potato and onion mixture and stir until well blended.
4. Fill a frying pan with a generous amount of oil and heat up. When oil is heated, use a tablespoon to put mixture in the oil. Make sure there is enough space between each latke. They should make a nice sizzling sound when put in.
5. Flip when the bottom is cooked (should be brown/golden).
6. When you remove the latkes from the pan, put them on a tray with a layer of paper towels underneath. When tray is full, add another layer of paper towel on top of the latkes and begin a new layer of latkes. Repeat this for as many layers as you need.

Latkes are best served fresh. Some people eat them with applesauce or sour cream, but I prefer them plain.

Latkes are not very pretty, but they are delicious!