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Today is My Latke Day.

By
Real Estate Attorney

Once a year I have a latke day.  The day usually falls somewhere in early December just prior to the eight crazy nights of Channukah.... or is is Hannukah.... Chanukkah.... Hanukkah.... Chawn-U-Caw?  My wife usually picks out the day and gives me a few weeks notice so I can get myself ready..... mentally ready.  This year we plan to cook 10 pounds of potatoes.  This is down from previous years where looking back... I must have cooked about 800 pounds.

For those that don't know.... a latke is basically a potatoe pancake.  It is a specialty during Channukah... or is it... oh just see above.

This is my process for my Latke Day (although I may adjust it this year to include the kids since they are old enough now) .....

 1. Wake up early and stretch (don't want to pull anything lifting potatoes)

2. Sign on to Active Rain and post a blog, make comments and read (this is a new addition to the list)


3. Bring up the sack of potatoes from the basement (hence.... the stretching)

 4. Wash the potatoes (this is the fun part... NOT)

5. Get out the food processor and add the attachment for shredding (The easy part)


6. Peel a bunch of large onions (no tears yet)


7. Use the food processor to shred all of the potatoes and all of the onions (Now the tears)


8. Pour all of the potatoe-onion mixture into a large pot and add flower.  Blend thoroghly.  (I have no comment!)


 9. Put a pan on the stove and pour in a little oil. (Another easy part)


10. With my hands, make a snowball out of the mixture and then flatten it.  Put it in the pan with the oil. (My kids like watching this part)


11. Fry the latkes on both sides and remove from the oil placing them on a paper towel to soak out some oil.


12. Eat any small pieces that fall off (mmmmmmmm)

 13. Call the fire department to let them know that there is no fire in the house.... just alot of smoke to set off the detectors.

14. Repeat 10 throgh 13 until all of the mixture is gone.

15. Clean the dishes, call it a night and go to sleep.

So when is everyone coming over to eat?

Comments(22)

Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast

Martin, yum!!!  I've always wondered, are latkes eaten with any sort of dressing?  Do you have an actual recipe apart from your great directions?  I'd love to try them.

Loved the post and I have to admit that #2 has been added to a lot of my activities as well.

Happy Holidays! 

Nov 30, 2007 11:30 PM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX
Do you ever add garlic? or other seasonings?  My mom used to make potato pancakes, I think she didnt add much besides what you said...  they sound wonderful and its it amazing how 12 ounces of fried potatoes can result in 10 pounds on the bathroom scales?  ;)   Happy Chanukka!!!!
Nov 30, 2007 11:49 PM
BLR Guy
BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc) - Saint Pete Beach, FL
LOL...I'll be over when the fire marshall leaves..LOL  When I read the subject line..I thought you were doing a blog on the guy from Taxi...LOL
Nov 30, 2007 11:54 PM
M A
Boston, MA

Gabe - I'll through one in an envelope for you!

Midori - Peeling potatoes loses something over the years!  I'll bring them to FL!

Maggie - The recipe is in my head and now on my blog!  I like to eat them with applesauce.  My wife and kids use sour cream. 

Gail - Nope... no other seasoning.  A few years ago we did add a few sweet potatoes to the mix but that's about as adventurous as we got.

Nov 30, 2007 11:55 PM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

I love the post and I can almost picture you running around like that!!!

Happy Chanukka!

Dec 01, 2007 12:00 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals
if you bring them...I will eat them..... I promise...as long as you don't make me peel.peeling potatoes are up there with ironing...do you use a peeler?  
Dec 01, 2007 12:15 AM
Eric Blum
1-800-GOT-JUNK? - Yardley, PA
Franchise Partner - 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Sour cream is my favorite topping.  Big fan of sweet potatoe latkes.  I have to admit my mom used to make them from a box....my wife does it the right way.  Sorry mom.
Dec 01, 2007 12:27 AM
Marc Grossman
Marc It Sold! - Longwood, FL
GRI, Greater Orlando Real Estate Broker
Martin,  It's a funny thing, a friend was asking me last night to make some latkes.  You don't put an egg in the mixture?  Have a Happy Hanukah!
Dec 01, 2007 12:54 AM
M A
Boston, MA

BLR - That is a different day.  The day I walk around and talk with a funny accent!

Charles - Get out of my way!!!  Latkes coming through!!!!

Midori - I don't peel them.  They really don't taste any different!  I don't iron them either!

Eric - I like half normal potatoes and half sweet potatoes!  (Applesauce is better!)

Marc - I don't think I add egg.  Now that you brought it up....  do I?  Um.... no.  No egg this year.  But you did make me stop and think!

Dec 01, 2007 02:54 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating
Martin ~ Be right over - I love latkes!  So, is that the official recipe?
Dec 01, 2007 06:01 AM
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru

Martin, I justt went on line and found a flight out at 6 am and it says I will be there at 9:30. Is that too early?

PS, can I get a lift from the airport?

Dec 01, 2007 10:55 AM
M A
Boston, MA

Deborah - LOL, I've never heard Han-Oooo-caw analyzed like that before!  We put food into all of our celebrations!

Kathy - Their all done!  Come on over!

Danny - I'll pick you up as long as you bring the applesauce!

Dec 01, 2007 10:49 PM
Kai Lani
RE/MAX Kai Lani - Kailua, HI
RE/MAX
Happy Latke Day!   Thanks for putting so much effort in writing such an interesting commentary!   What time do I get there for dinner?  I have to hustle as the flights to the mainland are tight just now!!!   Have a Great Latke!   Jerrys
Dec 02, 2007 03:56 AM
Nancy Brenner
Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc. - Roswell, GA
Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent

I can't help but break into song now...

Oh Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah
Come light the menorah.....
Eat some sizzling latkes, sing a happy song......

I'll be making latkes Tuesday.  We like them with sour cream in my house.
Happy Cha-new-kah, y'all!

PS - pop a cracker or piece of bread into your mouth when cutting or grating onion.  It'll help with the tears.  :-)

Dec 02, 2007 04:04 AM
Dan Forbes
Bradenton, FL
Wow, you cook, you sing, you blog, you take great photos, and who knows what else.  Send me a pancake and I'll give you my culinary opinion.
Dec 02, 2007 08:13 AM
Elaine Hanson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA
REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent
Martin,  I pulled my car into the driveway, yesterday, and before I even got out of the car, the most heavenly smell came drifting in.  My downhill neighbor was having their latke day!  It smelled so good!    Thank goodness we are invited to their Hannukah next Saturday!  Yum!
Dec 02, 2007 10:46 AM
M A
Boston, MA

Jerrys - They may be cold by the time you get here.... you better hurry.

Nancy - Good luck tomorrow and thanks for the serenade.

Dan - I tap, bob sled, train tigers and perform brain surgery.

Elaine - I cooked mine outside this year and heard from a few neighbors that it smelled great in the neighborhood.  Enjoy Saturday!

Dec 02, 2007 11:32 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
Martin, we're having the family over on Friday, so I'll be stocking up on my potatoes this week.  The best bet is to take the battery out of the smoke detector before you even get started!  Happy Chanukah!
Dec 02, 2007 11:46 PM
M A
Boston, MA

Brian,

Thanks for the advice.  Unfortunately, our detectors are hard wired and monitored.  Maybe I'll cut all power to the house!!!!

Have fun Friday.

Dec 02, 2007 11:58 PM
Kai Lani
RE/MAX Kai Lani - Kailua, HI
RE/MAX
Martin,  Cold Latke's are better than no Latke's at all.   I am hurrying!  Thanks for the invitation.   Jerry
Dec 03, 2007 05:50 PM