Fritters are a great way to use seasonally fresh vegetables — sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, celery root, beets, leeks and squash, in addition to the typical potatoes and onions — even if you’re not celebrating Hanukkah.
If you are commemorating the Jewish festival of lights, these vegetables can put a new spin on the traditional latke. A story on our Holiday 101 page includes two updated latke recipes, as well as a more mainstream version. One calls for a cranberry-applesauce for dipping, the other the Greek yogurt dip tzatziki.
Here are a few other ideas for unexpected latke toppings courtesy of the Detroit Free Press. There are eight, one for each night of Hanukkah:
Salmon spread: Mix sour cream with chopped, fresh dill and capers. Spread on latkes and top with chopped smoked salmon.
Spicy applesauce: Spruce up plain applesauce with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Cranberry sauce: Mix whole cranberry sauce with chopped or shredded apple. Serve with sweet-potato latkes.
Herb cream: Mix sour cream with freshly chopped herbs.
Chipotle mayo: Mix 1 chipotle chili in canned adobo sauce with 1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise.
Cinnamon sour cream: Whisk 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream with 2 teaspoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Apple and onion: Mix chopped apple and chopped onion with lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Serve with sweet-potato latkes.
Asian fusion: Mix 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon sweet Asian-style chili sauce. Serve with green-onion latkes.
