Potato pancakes

From ArticleWorld

Potato pancakes are also known as Latkes or Latkas. Potato pancakes are shallow fried cakes of grated potatoes that are mixed with eggs and grated onions. Here are some condiments that can be used with potato pancakes.

• Sour cream
• Various cheeses
• Apple sauce
• Sugar
• Cinnamon

But, traditionalists who eat potato pancakes prefer to eat them plain.

History of potato pancakes

Potato pancakes are commonly associated with the Jewish cuisine of Eastern Europe. However, potato pancakes are not necessarily Jewish in origin. Areas in Poland have some varieties of potato pancakes. For example, a favorite Polish dish is called placki wegierskie which are potato pancakes stuffed with a thick and spicy Hungarian goulash. Latkes are usually eaten during Hanukkah but they don’t play an essential part in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The custom came from the fact that there was a preference for eating fried foods during Hanukkah which celebrates a miracle involving oil in the temple of ancient Israel. There are varieties of lakes such as cheese, apple, spinach, rice, and leek latkes.

Making to potato pancakes

The potatoes can either be grated or cut julienne to give the cake the look of hash browns. Some chefs prefer to mince the potatoes and drop them to form a griddle cake. There is a similar dish in French cuisine called potato galette but sour cream is an ingredient in this case rather than a topping.

Potato pancakes in other countries

There are Rosti potato pancakes that are part of Swiss cuisine Rosti potato pancakes have no eggs and may be seasoned with thyme. The Swedish version of a potato pancake is called rarakor. They are made with a batter of wheat flour, milk, and eggs. The potato pancakes are fried like thin pancakes. Both types of potato pancakes can be enjoyed with bacon and/or lingonberry jam.