Hannukah in July

When we think about Hannukah foods, we think about greasy, unhealthy foods. However, without too many changes, your favorite Latkes recipe can be transformed into a healthy summer dish.

Puree the batter more than you would for Hannukah, so it's runny like a breakfast pancake. Maybe you would like to add some fresh summer vegetables, like basil from the garden. Substitute a healthier type of flour (almond meal, flaxseed meal, wheat germ, any type of flour substitute works). Then fry them in just a bit of olive oil. Skip the sour cream, and serve them with apple sauce or seasonal fruits and vegetables. Since Latkes are actually parve, you can serve them as a side dish with a barbecue, especially if some vegetarians will be joining your barbecue. If you don't have a latkes recipe, feel free to use my mother's.


Summer is also a great time to dig out those family recipes (most of mine are handwritten on scraps of paper) and make recipe cards that will preserve them for the next generation.