Potato Pancakes

Known by different names depending on which country is serving them, potato pancakes can be made from grated shreds, chunks of the root vegetable, or leftover mashed potatoes. The dish, served as an appetizer or side dish, may be deep fried, formed into a patty and skillet fried, or baked.

Potato pancakes may be served as a traditional part of a holiday meal or may be added to a frugal meal using up leftovers. A healthy version of potato pancakes can be made by using a brown rice flour instead of a standard white flour and substituting red potatoes for baking or russet potatoes.http://www.drbenkim.com/potato-pancake-recipe.htmlPotato pancakes can also be made from sweet potatoes.

The pancake method of serving food began in prehistoric times. The batter concoctions, possibly cooked on oiled flat stones in early times, have changed since the original version which contained milk, flour, eggs, and spices. Thick potato pancakes are one of many adaptations of the plain pancake recipe.http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodfaq2.html

One well known potato pancake is the Jewish latke. In addition to the potatoes, the crisp fried pancake contains eggs, onion, matzo meal and seasonings and is commonly served with applesauce and sour cream. Jewish latkes are eaten during the Feast of Lights of Chanukah.http://www.foodreference.com/html/fpotatopancakes.html Foods fried in oil, like potato latkes, are eaten during Chanukah, as a recognition of the miracle of one drop of oil lasting for eight days during the battle with the Maccabees.http://www.pjvoice.com/v18/18900food.aspx The custom of eating the potato pancakes during Chanukah is believed to have begun in Eastern Europe.http://www.infoplease.com/spot/hanukkah.html#ixzz13MEIKDeF

Potato pancakes are served differently and called by different names throughout the world. The traditional fried potato latke can be lightened up by forming the patty and spraying it with a no stick spray before placing in the oven to bake. This eliminates the need for frying in oil.http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Hanukkah/At_Home/Foods/Contemporary_Latkes.shtml The popularity of the food item has resulted in convenience packages of premixed batter being sold by food manufacturers.http://www.hungryjack.com/products/potatopancake.aspx Other styles of potato pancakes include the following:

1. Polish potato pancakes are known as "placki ziemnaczane". The pancake when served over beef goulash is called "placek wegierski" or a Hungarian pie.http://brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/38/30_38polishfood.html
2. A vegan style of potato pancake can be prepared by eliminating the eggs and using oatmeal to hold the mixture totether.http://vegkitchen.com/recipes/hannukah.htm
3. A German potato pancake is made from grated white potatoes with the water completely squeezed out of the shreds. Minced onion, flour, salt, and pepper are added before frying.http://bigspud.com/files/ppancakegerman.htm
4. Swedish potato pancakes are called "raggmunk". The potato cakes are fried in butter and served with lingonberries and fried pork. Potato starch holds the pancake together, eliminating the possibility of using new potatoes to make this dish.http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Food-drink/Swedish-culinary-classics/Raggmunk/
5. Mashed potato pancakes are prepared from leftover potatoes and may be included on menu plans to use leftovers from Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in the United States. The pancakes are made by combining the potatoes with eggs, flour, and onion. Bread crumbs may be used in place of flour and other ingredients like cheese, zucchini, or carrots can be added.http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/1742/ The patties are fried and served plain or with any dipping sauce or topping used for other fried potatoes.