Episode 171: Winter Traditions: Hanukkah and Potato Pancakes

Today on the podcast I kick off a Winter Series of food and cooking traditions with Hanukkah and Joan Nathan’s Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes from her book Jewish Cooking in America:

Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes

From Jewish Cooking in America by Joan Nathan

2 pounds russet (baking) or Yukon Gold potatoes

1 medium onion

½ cup chopped scallions, including the green part

1 large egg, beaten

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Vegetable oil for frying

1. Peel the potatoes and put in cold water. Using a grater or a food processor coarsely grate the potatoes and onions. Place together in a  fine-mesh strainer or tea towel and squeeze out all of the water over a bowl. The potato starch will settle to the bottom; reserve that after you have carefully poured off the water.
2. Mix the potato and onion with the potato starch. Add the scallions, egg, and salt and pepper.
3. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan and coat with a thin film of vegetable oil. Take about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture into the palm of your hand and flatten as best you can. Place the potato mixture on the griddle, flatten with a large spatula, and fry for a few minutes until golden. Flip the pancake over and brown the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately. You can freeze the potato pancakes and crisp them up in a 350-degree oven at a later time.

Yield: about 2 dozen pancakes

Variation: if you want a more traditional and thicker pancake, you can add an extra egg plus ⅓ cup of matzah meal to the batter.

Things We Mention In This Episode:

Jewish Cooking in America

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