8 Unorthodox Latke Recipes

Hanukkah is an eight-night celebration of light that honors the day the Jewish community took back control of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Along with other traditions, Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting a menorah and, of course, by eating special foods. Most are fried foods symbolic of the oil that lasted for eight days, and one of the most popular fried foods for the holiday is latkes.

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Latkes are crispy potatoes molded into palm-sized pancakes and fried to golden-brown perfection. But there are a variety of potential latke ingredients and garnishes. Instead of traditional potatoes, try making the pancakes with butternut squash or sweet potatoes. We also have Greek- and Mexican-inspired latke recipes that add cultural flavors to the original version. Or, try adding a touch of elegance with apple confit and crispy fried sage. The possibilities for latkes are endless — and unorthodox, to say the least.

Latkes are perfect for holiday entertaining. They can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen, then reheated at the time of serving for a perfectly crisp and warm dish. Instead of making the traditional size, you could even make smaller, bite-size portions for appetizers.  

So, this holiday make sure you honor the celebration and traditions of Hanukkah, but don't be afraid to try out new recipes and ingredients. Check out some of our favorite and unorthodox latke recipes and make this holiday one to remember.

Emily Jacobs is the Recipe editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyRecipes.