DIY latke platter
Some of my favorite memories during the holidays include diving face first into a plate of latkes. They're fried! They're salty! And they're insanely delicious!
Latkes are potato pancakes commonly served during Hanukkah celebrations. They don't need to be potato, but they're typically made with some sort of shredded vegetable, combined with egg, flour and onion. Latkes are shallow-fried in oil and then served with sour cream or, my favorite, apple sauce.
Typically you'll only make one type of latke for Hanukkah, so let's do something fun. Let's all host a make your own latke party!
First things first, you'll want to figure out what latkes you'll be serving on your plate. You'll want to offer up a few varieties...
Like classic potato...
Colorful zucchini pancakes...
And a sweet option, apple and carrot latkes!
Arrange all three types of latkes on a large platter. Now onto the dips! I like chunky apple sauce, sour cream (both plain + green onion), and sautéed red cabbage. Serve them in some small dishes to keep them contained on the plate.
Now it's time to fill in the rest of the platter with all sorts of goodies!
Add more delicious options like, sliced apple, avocado, red onion, fresh parsley, scallions and to indulge, smoked salmon slices.
And now, you and family or a few close friends can go ahead and dig in! Encourage everyone to create their own combinations or give them a little inspiration.
Like classic potato latkes with avocado, red cabbage, scallions + a sprinkle of flaked salt.
Or zucchini latkes with red onion, smoked salmon + a giant dollop of sour cream.
Finish with apple and carrot latkes, served with sliced apples + apple sauce, of course!
But there really isn't a wrong way to assemble the perfect plate of latkes. Some might just want a potato one with apple sauce, and others might want all the fixings. The fun is that you can allow everyone to mix and match their plate, and enjoy a Jewish holiday treat together.
Want the recipes for these potato latkes? Grab them below!
Classic potato latke
4 russet potatoes, peeled + shredded
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 egg
4 tablespoons flour
Zucchini latke
2 large zucchinis, shredded
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 egg
4 tablespoons flour
Apple and carrot latke
1 Granny Smith apple, shredded
2 medium carrots, peeled + shredded
1/4 lemon, juice
1 egg
4 tablespoons flour
Before making the latke mixture, make sure you squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the vegetables or fruits you are using. The drier the mixture, the better it'll fry up!
For each latke recipe, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.
Head a large sauté pan with a shallow layer of olive oil. Use an ice cream scoop to take a portion of the mixture in your hands. Flatten the scoop of latke mixture and carefully add it to the pan. Don't crowd the pan, cooking 5 or 6 latkes at a time.
Cook each latke until golden on one side, flip + then cook until golden on the other. Remove each latke from the oil + let them drain on a paper towel-lined sheet pan. Enjoy right away or warm them up in the oven before serving.