What is a Jewish fried pancake usually made from grated potatoes called?

A latke (Yiddish: לאַטקע latke; sometimes romanized latka, lit. "pancake") is a type of potato pancake or fritter in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah.

What is a traditional Jewish meal?

The typical components of the traditional Jewish meal include gefilte fish, chicken soup with matzo balls (also called Kneidlach), brisket, roasted chicken, a potato dish such as kugel or latkes and tzimmes . Like many “Jewish” foods, the Jewish meal components are Ashkenazi as they originated in Eastern Europe.

What's the difference between potato pancakes and latkes?

Potato pancakes are softer thinner than latkes . This comes from the way they are prepared. Pancakes are made from finely grated potatoes, whereas, latkes are larger gratings. This makes the latkes crunchier than the pancakes.

Are hash browns and latkes the same?

Latkes also aren't hash browns . Hash browns are all about crispy, burnished crust, with just enough potato-y center to gain a third dimension and a little give. A latke's interior should be plump and slightly cakey, but yielding, with recognizably rustic strands of potato intertwined with onion.

What is the Jewish meal of condolence?

After the funeral the mourners traditionally eat a meal provided by friends and neighbors. This meal includes hard-boiled eggs or other round foods, like a bagel or challah that symbolize that the cycle of life must continue .

What is a typical Jewish breakfast?

It is usually served buffet style, and consists of fruits, vegetables, salads, breads, pastries, dairy foods, eggs and fish . Meat is never included. An Israeli breakfast with eggs, Israeli salad, bread and various accompaniments.

What's another name for potato pancakes?

A latke is a small pancake usually made with grated potatoes. Latkes are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. Most latkes are crispy little potato pancakes that are served with apple sauce or sour cream during the eight days of Hanukkah.

What is the difference between potato latkes and rosti?

Whereas a rosti uses almost exclusively potato and onion, latkes have a little egg and flour added to their mix making them closer to a pancake , but they're just as crispy and golden on the outside and juicy within.

What is the difference between latkes and levivot?

Fried food is traditionally eaten on Hanukkah in commemoration of the oil that miraculously burned for eight days when the Maccabees purified and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This recipe for classic potato latkes—also known as levivot in Hebrew —uses a food processor to simplify the prep.

What is a shredded potato fried called?

Hash browns , also spelled hashed browns and hashbrowns, are a popular American breakfast dish consisting of finely julienned potatoes that have been fried until golden brown.

28 Old-School Jewish Recipes Your Grandma Used to Make, from Latkes to Matzoh Ball Soup (2024)

food

You don't need to wait for Hanukkah to enjoy Bubbe's cooking

By Rebecca Shapiro

•

Published Oct 23, 2023

Additional reporting by

Taryn Pire

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

Whether or not you actually have a Jewish grandma, we’re willing to bet that you’ve probably been fed by one at some point, considering it’s practically inscribed in the Torah as a grandmotherly duty. If you’re craving something traditional for Hanukkah (like drool-worthy potato latkes), seeking a modernized twist on a classic for Passover (hi, miso matzo ball soup) or in need of a little comfort food (see the Reuben sandwich or matzo brei), lean on one of these 28 old-school Jewish recipes. You might not make them *exactly* like Bubbe did, but we think she’d be proud anyway.

RELATED

How to Make Latkes for Hanukkah (or Whenever a Craving Strikes)

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Potato Latkes

Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

OK, so Jews don’t get Christmas. But we do get eight nights of crispy, fried potato pancakes, slathered in all the applesauce and sour cream we can handle. It just might be an even trade.

Get the recipe

Foodie Crush

2. Matzo Ball Soup with Chicken Meatballs

Time Commitment: 5 hours and 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

The next time we catch a cold, we’re calling Coterie member Heidi Larsen. (Did we mention her homemade chicken broth was inspired by a recipe by our queen, Ina Garten?) If you're feeling lazy, use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of making meatballs.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Honey Challah

Time Commitment: 6 hours
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly

Before you tell us you don’t have time to make homemade bread, hear us out. This nine-ingredient (that's including water and salt, folks) dough comes together easily in an electric mixer, no kneading required.

Get the recipe

The Mom 100

4. Jewish Brisket

Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein

Unlike Southern-style barbecue brisket, Jewish brisket is typically braised in the oven instead of smoked, alongside potatoes, crushed tomatoes and carrots. This keeps the meat juicy and tender as it cooks.

Get the recipe

The Cupcake Project

5. Hamantaschen

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

The triangular cookies are served during Purim, a holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from a Persian Empire official. They're usually filled with apricot or raspberry jams or chocolate spread, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Red Shakshuka with Tomato Sauce

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...

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28 Old-School Jewish Recipes Your Grandma Used to Make, from Latkes to Matzoh Ball Soup (2024)

You don't need to wait for Hanukkah to enjoy Bubbe's cooking

Food Editor

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