From Feigie’s kitchen: Zucchini latkes

By Feigie Ceitlin

INGREDIENTS:

3 pounds zucchini

1 1/3 cups matza meal

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetable oil for frying (about 1 cup)

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1 - Grate zucchini shredding disk of a food processor. Line a bowl with a dish towel or cheesecloth. Transfer the zucchini into the bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons of salt. Let stand for 30 minutes.

Step 2 - Squeeze zucchini to remove as much liquid as possible. Transfer zucchini to a large bowl and stir in the matza meal, eggs and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Step 3 - Preheat oven to 200°F.

Step 4 - Heat oil (about 1 inch high) in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Scoop 2 tablespoon mixture per latke into skillet (6 to 8 per batch). Flatten with a fork to form 2 1/2-to 3-inch pancakes. Fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side (adding more oil as necessary). I like to add a piece of raw carrot about 2-3 inches long or a baby carrot, to the skillet. It helps keep the oil clean. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in oven.

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The blessing: Ha’Adamah

“Fruits of the ground” include vegetables, legumes, peanuts, and the “fruit” excluded from the ha-aitz blessing: melons, bananas, pineapples, some berries.

Baruch atah A-donay, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam borei pri ha-adamah.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G‐d, King of the universe who creates the fruit of the earth.

Bon appetit!

— Feigie Ceitlin is the program director of Chabad Tucson

Photo by Jacqueline Soffer

Favorite sides

We asked members of the Kosher in Tucson group on Facebook about their favorite topping/sides for latkes. Most preferred applesauce, either store-bought or homemade. Sour cream was another popular choice.

Here are additional answers:

Fig jam or beet relish -Deb Siegel

Sour cream and smoked salmon -Meryl Bressler

Jalapeño ketchup - Michael Stan

Cinnamon sugar - Cathy Libman Olswing

Brisket! -Lev Metz

Homemade applesauce. I like to mix paprika, cayenne, garlic, cinnamon and onion powder -Ruby May Valentine

I’m with the majority, applesauce, but I like mine heated! -Jennifer Tougas

Sour cream or lox! -Pam Siegel Zarte

Sour cream and caviar -Fran Krevat Krackow

Vegan sour cream and plain applesauce on top of vegan latkes, of course -Lori Riegel