I’ve always loved potato pancakes, but not until my Jewish son-in-law began making potato latkes for our Christmas Day brunch a few years back did I have some that were truly incredible and not pancakes at all. I discovered that there’s a big difference between potato pancakes and potato latkes.
Potato pancakes are more rounded than potato latkes, and they’re simple to make using leftover mashed potatoes. Potato latkes take a little more time because you have to shred the potatoes, a task made much easier if you have a food processor. Latkes also take on an irregular shape with the shredded pieces of potato sticking out here and there. Also, potato pancakes are thinner than potato latkes.
There’s another difference, too. You can serve potato pancakes with ketchup or other condiments, but potato latkes traditionally require either sour cream or applesauce. Applesauce is the more traditional Jewish condiment, but as a Southern Episcopalian, I prefer sour cream.
Regardless, potato latkes have become a tradition in our mostly Christian household, but we also observe Hanukkah in honor of our son-in-law whenever they are here during the Hanukkah season, which this year begins on Thursday. And while our new tradition requires that he make them, I’ve found myself making them from time to time myself using a recipe I found in The New York Times. If you’re serving several people, make plenty because these go fast.
Happy Hanukkah to all of you celebrating over the next week.