The making of latkes is probably my least favorite part of Chanukah. I do it because my family loves them but I’m always looking for a shortcut and I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit that there have been years when I would buy potato latke mix in a box – but even I, who would do almost anything not to have to grate potatoes, had to admit that they were kind of gross. So now we’re back to shredding potatoes. Except now I use a food processor which I feel was the kind of obvious solution to the problem, but I grew up with a grandmother who made potato latkes by grating potatoes by hand. For years, I didn’t know there was another option. But now I do. Happy days.
Using a food processor is shortcut number one. The second shortcut is learning how to get away without standing over two hot frying pans with oil splattering everywhere because that’s not good for my kitchen floor, my counter’s backsplash, or my nerves.
Ready for it? Use your waffle maker. Mix up grated potatoes, three eggs per every four grated potatoes and salt to taste. Be sure to mix it well or the latkes won’t cook properly.
Heat the waffle maker and be sure to spray it with cooking spray or use a paper towel to wipe some oil over the waffle maker. Drop a couple of tablespoons of batter onto the waffle iron and close the top. Be patient. These take a little while to cook. There’s no need to flip them but once they start to brown around the edges, it’s time to take them out.
These are very yummy served with applesauce or sour cream, like real latkes. And even better, these can also be made with shredded sweet potatoes or zucchini for a whole latke bar.
The kitchen might be a mess right about now, but your kids’ faces are probably shining and that, my friends, is what it’s all about. All you have to do is have someone pick up a dozen sufganiyot on the way home and dinner will be ready to go. And teaching kids how to properly clean up a kitchen after making dinner is one of the best gifts you can ever give them, so hop to it. Actually, that might be more of a gift to yourself, but hey, it’s Chanukah. It’s a gift. It’s all good.