Today on the podcast I kick off a Winter Series of food and cooking traditions with Hanukkah and Joan Nathan’s Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes from her book Jewish Cooking in America:

Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes

From Jewish Cooking in America by Joan Nathan

  • 2 pounds russet (baking) or Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1 medium onion
  • ½ cup chopped scallions, including the green part
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  1. Peel the potatoes and put in cold water. Using a grater or a food processor coarsely grate the potatoes and onions. Place together in a  fine mesh strainer or tea towel and squeeze out all of the water over a bowl. The potato starch will settle to the bottom; reserve that after you have carefully poured off the water.
  2. Mix the potato and onion with the potato starch. Add the scallions, egg, and salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan and coat with a thin film of vegetable oil. Take about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture into the palm of your hand and flatten as best you can. Place the potato mixture on the griddle, flatten with a large spatula, and fry for a few minutes until golden. Flip the pancake over and brown the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately. You can freeze the potato pancakes and crisp them up in a 350-degree oven at a later time.

Yield: about 2 dozen pancakes

Variation: if you want a more traditional and thicker pancake, you can add an extra egg plus ⅓ cup of matzah meal to the batter.

Listen to Episode 171 below:

Things We Mention In This Episode:

Jewish Cooking in America

Join Confident Cookbook Writers Facebook Group

Learn more about How to Get Paid to Write a Cookbook during this free masterclass

Let’s connect on Instagram @greenapron

Here’s How To Subscribe

I’d love for you to get notified when I release new episodes so you don’t miss any new episodes Click here to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

How to Leave a Review:

And, I’d love for you to leave a rating and review. I want to know what you think of the podcast and how I can make this podcast one you love to listen to and share with your friends. Plus,  iTunes tells me that podcast reviews are really important and the more reviews the podcast has the easier it will be to get the podcast in front of more people, which is the ultimate goal. You can leave a review for the podcast here.

Let’s Keep The Conversation Going…

Do you have an idea for a cookbook concept? Would you like to know more about writing cookbooks? Do you collect cookbooks and want to be interviewed on the show? Comment below and share your story or visit me on Instagram which is currently my favorite way to connect