Latkes.
They’re not just for Hanukkah anymore!
Latkes are usually made with potatoes and are a traditional dish eaten during Hanukkah. They’re also known as potato pancakes. If you know me, you know I don’t like white potatoes and I’m not Jewish (though I adore matzo ball soup). Also, it’s nowhere near Hanukkah. Clearly a strange but good hack was needed… Healthy Jicama Latkes!
Never one to be bothered with tradition, I was determined not to let these little details derail me from an idea. I wanted to use jicama and carrot to make latkes.
So really, these are just jicama and carrot pancakes… with a Mexican twist. Why Mexican? Why NOT? I love Mexican food!
Call it whatever you’d like, but these ‘cakes will have you celebrating Hanukkah in May.
The bonus is that they’re a bit healthier than the traditional dish. They aren’t fried in a ton of oil and are less starch-y than a latke. They cover all the buzz words: gluten-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly, vegetarian. And they’re strangely easy!
Jicama Latkes
- 1/2 jicama (~150 grams)
- 1 medium carrot
- 1/4 C egg whites
- 1/2 tsp Mexican spice blend
Grate jicama and carrot coarsely by hand. Squeeze excess water. Mix in a bowl with egg whites and your favorite spice blend.
Heat a bit or coconut oil or cooking spray in pan over medium heat. Divide latke batter into 4 even parts and press into pan as a pancake. Cook ~5 minutes on each side, or until latkes are lightly browned.
Plate and top as desired. I served mine over greens and turkey, then topped it with salsa and avocado.
Makes 4 latkes.
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I’m not home yet, but I’ll be making these again when I get there… especially after all the Swiss treats… #sorryimnotsorry
Have you ever had a latke?
What is your favorite healthy hack for a traditional recipe?
I don’t think I have seen Jicamas around here – have you?? 🙁 – maybe I can sub them with sweet potato – or WHITE asparagus (kidding, lol).
Can’t wait to see you later!!
I should have brough you one! I wonder if I can mail it?
I’m still jealous of your jicamas but you know that. Either way, potato latkes – or: Kartoffelpuffer as we call them – were a childhood classic for me. I hope you made good use of your stay in Switzerland by eating a traditional ‘Rösti’.
I ate my weight in rosti! It’s like our hashbrowns. 🙂
yum! i love latkes! my mom and grandma make the best! i’m yet to make em myself
For real?! I can’t believe they haven’t gotten you in the kitchen with them. 🙂
I love latkes and this recipe reminded me…Excuse me but I’m pretty sure I asked for a good jicama substitute from you yonks ago and you ignored me. Racist.
I’m working as fast as I can! 😛
Sub: potatoes. Hahaha! Maybe a rutabaga?
I always forget about jicama. I rarely buy it but now I want to just to make these!
I’ve never purchased jicama. I’ve had it on a salad at a restaurant, but I never think of it on my own.
You should! It’s a good, quick snack to just chomp on raw.
I want me some of these!! I love jicama!
My healthy hack is eating my kids favorite meal – spaghetti with beef meat sauce — on a bed of fresh spinach instead of the pasta. It’s actually really super good that way
Tomato sauce is good on anything! 🙂
I haven’t even heard of jicama, your recipe looks delicious 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Really?! I wonder if it’s just an South American thing and we’re close enough to get it here?
YUMM!!!
Lookin’ gooooood! 😉
I’ve never had a latke but went through a period of time where I printed off or pulled out (from magazines) latke recipes like it was my job. #juststrange
Really? They’re so easy to make! You need to try these… but you should do the “real” thing too. Top it with applesauce!
Those look and sound better than I though they would ;-). I’ve never even made regular latkes (and I love potatoes), but I might have to give these a try (with an egg sub, of course). Love the Mexican flair!
Thanks! I think. 😉
You could easily do these with a flax egg, or just sauté them into hash browns!
I’ve never heard of latkes. I had to google it. Lol! This actually sounds good even though the ingredients are weird
Hmmmm… maybe I just had a lot of Jewish friend growing up?
At the risk of sounding like a McDonald’s Slogan……. “I’m Lovin’ It!” — CAUSE I HATE POTATOES! 😉
Potato haters unite!!!
With the way you eat, between Passover and Hannuka, you really would make a great Jew 😉
I’m working on my application. 😉
I can eat an enormous quantity of latkes easily. Dangerous stuff. We make “latke recovery salad” every Hannukkah: romaine lettuce, celery, granny smith apples, and a honey, mustard, cider vinegar dressing. Scrapes all the oil down with the fiber!
Jicama sub for latkes: Turnips, Sweet Potato, Parsnip, Cauliflower.
I need that salad after my Europe trip!
I know you add ACV to your aminos. I was at GNC the other day and the guy told me that adding an acid, like vinegar to aminos makes them less effective. Have you heard this?
Nope… I still feel the energy boost!
yep, i’m so trying this!! brilliant. can i spin the dreidel after?
Yes. I made it out of clay.
I’m Jewish, so yes, I have had latkes. I like them with ketchup though, which isn’t very Jewish of me. You’re supposed to eat them with sour cream or applesauce. Potato topped with applesauce is strange but good.
Ewwww… ketchup! I love them with applesauce. No sour cream.
I LOVE sweet potato latkes but never thought to make them with jicama, I wish I could get jicama out here but its SO hard to find! I used to eat jicama all the time whilst living in Cabo San Lucas I used that instead of chips 😉 Lots of Love C
It’s totally a good sub for chips (or fries) – I love using them as nachos!
Leave it to you to bastardize my beautiful white potatoes. I’d still try these though; just don’t tell the spuds.
Potatoes are gross. The end.
This is perfect prep food – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!
Woo hoo! Let me know if you try it!!