David K. Israel
Why Do Jews Eat Potato Pancakes During Hanukkah?
by David K. Israel - December 22, 2011 - 2:38 PM

Hanukkah started Tuesday night and runs the whole week, eight nights in total. During these nights, a helluva lot of latkes, or potato pancakes, are consumed. To understand why, you first have to understand the story of Hanukkah. As with most Jewish holidays, in the beginning there was a lot of suffering. (This reminds me a funny Jewish joke. The refrain during each holiday goes like this: “We suffered, we suffered, we suffered, now let’s eat!”) This time, it was at the hands of Antiochus IV (215 BC – 164 BC), who massacred Jews left and right during his reign, refused to let them practice their religion and sacked their temples. He also forced them to assimilate to the Hellenistic ways of the times. But a fellow named Judah Maccabee, the leader of  a religious traditionalist group, refused to assimilate and fought against the Syrian-Greeks to take back the holy temple in Jerusalem.  In 165 BC, Maccabee and his group did just that. But when they got to the eternal flame (the oil lamp that burns 24/7/365 in every temple) they found that there was only enough oil to keep the flame going for one more night. But it took them eight nights to replenish the oil and the flame, miraculously, burned until reserves were brought in.

So the potato pancakes are fried in oil, which is a reminder of this miracle. In other countries, fried donuts are more popular. But in the States, it’s definitely latkes. If you’ve never eaten a potato pancake, you don’t know what you’re missing! They are delicious when fresh, with a dollop of sour cream or apple sauce on top. After the jump, you’ll find my personal recipe for the best potato pancakes in the world… Happy Hanukkah to all.

  • 2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup peanut oil for frying

    • Place the potatoes in a cheesecloth and wring, extracting as much moisture as possible.
    In a medium bowl stir the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt together.
    In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until hot. Place large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down on them to form 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick patties. Brown on one side, turn and brown on the other. Let drain on paper towels. Salt to taste and serve hot!

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Comments (27)

  1. I’m sure latkes are delicious but I’m struggling to find a difference between them and hash browns. (Besides the onions in the author’s recipe).

    posted by Pink Coat on 12-22-2011 at 2:53 pm

  2. So I guess my question is, why aren’t they also known as hash browns? (I mean no disrespect, I’m honestly curious).

    posted by Pink Coat on 12-22-2011 at 2:54 pm

  3. I think it’s the addition of flour that sets the apart. Hash Browns are just potatoes, no? The flour thickens them to “pancake” status.

    I love Latkes. I think I might make some tonight.

    Happy Hanukkah!

    posted by Chris on 12-22-2011 at 3:06 pm

  4. Hashbrowns? Potato pancakes? Latkes?
    You say tomayto, I say tomahto…..

    -”BB”-

    posted by Bicycle Bill on 12-22-2011 at 3:35 pm

  5. For better flavor substitute Matzo Meal for the flour.

    posted by Latke Lover on 12-22-2011 at 3:59 pm

  6. Aren’t hash browns loose or in small clumps? Also some hash browns I have had are small cubes of potato. Latkes are ground up thin discs.

    posted by sysmg on 12-22-2011 at 4:01 pm

  7. I tried making Latkes once and it was a total disaster – I’m definitely going to try your recipe and hope for better success :)

    posted by kristina on 12-22-2011 at 4:08 pm

  8. What kind of hash browns do you guys eat that have eggs and flour in them? (onions are pretty common though)

    posted by LiquidEvil on 12-22-2011 at 4:11 pm

  9. Latkes with sugar. now THAT is awesome :)

    Making some latkes for christmas at my in-laws house. I will open their eyes to the wonderful world of latkes!

    posted by Meg on 12-22-2011 at 4:30 pm

  10. I grew up eating potato pancakes, with no link to tradition or religion. The fact that we have potatoes, and potato pancakes are delicious, is enough for me!

    My recipe is a bit heavier on the onions.

    posted by Miss Cellania on 12-22-2011 at 4:59 pm

  11. My family loves latkes! They have become a must-have during our holidays. We are going to make doughnuts this year, as well.
    I never had, or made, latkes until I married my Jewish husband. I have to say I’ve become pretty proficient at it, but I hadn’t heard of wringing out the potatoes before this. I will definitely do that the next time I make them, which should eliminate the nasty goo left over in the bottom of the mixing bowl.
    Happy Hanukkah!

    posted by JennieO on 12-22-2011 at 5:02 pm

  12. @Miss C – I should have put more onions as optional. It def tastes a little more “deli” with more onions! :-)

    posted by David K. Israel on 12-22-2011 at 6:01 pm

  13. Hmmm… that recipe looks easy, and yummy. Not Jewish, but I do like good food… I need to try these…. Definately more onion…

    posted by old hippy chick on 12-22-2011 at 6:57 pm

  14. I love latkes! They are my favorite holiday food. I think they’re especially delicious with sour cream–yum!

    posted by demaris on 12-22-2011 at 8:00 pm

  15. Not Jewish, but love,love,love Jewish foods. I love to make latkes, and also matzo ball soup. My favorite snack is a fresh, unsalted matzo cracker with real butter spread over it, sprinkled with sea salt. Yum!

    posted by foodjunkie on 12-22-2011 at 9:08 pm

  16. There is not much difference between hashbrowns and latkas, except one is hashbrowns and one are latkas…you will find that many “native” or “authentic” dishes are similar to those of other cultures….I mean, most people through out history, and all over the world have made a stew or soup at some point in their life, and with grain, corn, potato, and rice being quite common (and cheap!) through out history, similarities are bound to exist….a dumpling is a dumpling whether you call it a perogie or a won ton, and soup is nothing more that liquid, and a flavoring agent (veg, meat, seasoning) when it all boils down to the basics :D
    A rose by any other name…

    posted by Zipora on 12-22-2011 at 9:15 pm

  17. You can also make these with mashed potatoes (this is how I use up leftovers). The main difference between latkes, potato pancakes, and hash browns is the texture. Potato pancakes and latkes are doughier inside than regular hash browns.

    posted by Nikole on 12-22-2011 at 11:28 pm

  18. I’m not Jewish either, but I love latkes! So yummers, and our recipe that we use is very similar to the one you posted- but heavier on the onion. Gotta try them with sour cream now! Happy Channuka!

    posted by Ashley W. on 12-23-2011 at 12:09 am

  19. We make our hash browns in a egg and flour batter, like the corned beef hash at the neighborhood Okazuya’s. I think I’ll make a batch to see if my family will like this as well.

    posted by Ursula on 12-23-2011 at 1:44 am

  20. latkes, scmatkes, eat them in your gotkes!!!!

    posted by cc on 12-23-2011 at 6:30 am

  21. SHMATKES

    posted by cc on 12-23-2011 at 6:31 am

  22. I grew up in a Polish household. We had our own version of potato pancakes – I don’t know the spelling, but it was pronounced plot-ski. Wirh apologies to our Jewish brethren I must say that they go great with a pork roast. Sour cream is great, but also try a dollop of applesauce.

    posted by Sir Fatboy on 12-23-2011 at 6:44 am

  23. Flour is not necessary as the potatoes produce enough starch. One large potato (grated), one egg and onion salt are all that is needed. Onion salt rather than fresh onion as the flavor is more evenly distributed. Good stuff!

    posted by Alicevee on 12-23-2011 at 11:34 am

  24. Growing up we blended the potato with the onion and the flour until it was actually the consistency of a pancake, much better than the shredded potato version.

    posted by Bethany on 12-23-2011 at 1:06 pm

  25. IHOP actually makes a pretty darn good latke. But for those who haven’t had latkes, no, they aren’t like hashbrowns, which can be dry. They’re more like… that yummy casserole little old ladies bring to Christmas parties, made of hashbrowns, cheddar cheese, mushroom soup and sour cream. I’m hungry now. :-(

    posted by Mare on 12-23-2011 at 2:11 pm

  26. So, trying to follow the logic of this religious tradition. Maccabee’s group had not enough oil for 8 days with which to cook potatoes? Or they had potatoes and no oil?

    posted by sammy on 12-23-2011 at 6:26 pm

  27. @sammy: Potatoes have nothing intrinsically to do with Chanukah other than being a traditional food. The oil is the important part, same as with the sufganiyot (donuts).

    David – I’ve heard the holiday joke as “They tried to kill us, they didn’t, let’s eat!” (And the corollary for fast days: “They tried to kill us, they did, let’s not eat…”)

    posted by MetFanMac on 12-25-2011 at 12:11 pm

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