These potato latkes are, per tradition, blissfully crisp outside, tender inside. And the wonderfulness doesn't stop there. A dollop of sweet apple-date chutney takes the place of the usual applesauce and the requisite plain sour cream takes on a holiday lilt thanks to a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Prep Time45 minutesmins
Cook Time45 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr30 minutesmins
Course: Sides
Cuisine: Jewish
Servings: 15latkes
Calories: 151
Ingredients
For the apple date chutney
1poundcrisp, tart apples, such as Granny Smith, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch (12 mm) chunks
1/3 cupfinely chopped pitted dates
1/3 cupfinely chopped yellow onion
One(2-inch)piece fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 cupred wine vinegar
2tablespoonscider vinegar
1/2 cuppacked light brown sugar
2tablespoonshoney
Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated (about 1 tablespoon)
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
For the cinnamon sour cream
1/2 cupsour cream
1/2 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
1teaspoonpure maple syrup
For the potato latkes
2poundsrusset potatoes, scrubbed and unpeeled (about 2 large potatoes)
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the apples, dates, onion, ginger, red wine vinegar, cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, lemon zest, and allspice and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very tender, about 30 minutes.
Uncover the pan, crank the heat back up to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid reduces to a syrup, 4 to 5 minutes. You’ll know when it’s done when the liquid has a consistency similar to maple syrup. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
Make the cinnamon sour cream
Meanwhile, stir together the sour cream, cinnamon, and maple syrup in a small bowl. (You can cover and refrigerate the cinnamon sour cream for up to 1 day.)
Make the potato latkes
Grate the potatoes and onion on the large holes of a box grater or, alternatively, cut the potatoes and onions into quarters and shred them in a food processor fitted with the shredding blade. Working in batches, wrap the grated potatoes and onion in a dish towel or several layers of paper towels or cheesecloth and squeeze as much water as you can out of them. You really need to get your squeeze on here to prevent the latkes from being soggy.
Dump the potatoes and onion into a large bowl, add the eggs, flour, salt, and pepper, and mix with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Heat 1/4 inch (6 mm) vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with 2 layers of paper towels.
Drop the batter by the 1/4-cupful into the skillet and gently press with a spatula to flatten, working in batches of just 3 or 4 latkes so as not to crowd the skillet. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip each latke and continue to cook until the other side is golden brown and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes more. Continue frying the remaining latkes, adding additional oil to the pan if necessary and adjusting the heat if the latkes are browning too quickly or not quickly enough. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the potato latkes to the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
Serve the potato latkes immediately with a plop of apple date chutney and a dollop of cinnamon sour cream.
Notes
Make-ahead--The apple-date chutney and cinnamon sour cream can be prepared 1 day before serving. Store in covered bowls or containers in the refrigerator.
Storage--Leftover latkes can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 2 weeks. Reheat in a 400°F oven until warmed through.
Dietary--The latkes and apple chutney are suitable for a dairy-free diet.