By Bianca Tamburello, Dietetics Student, Sargent College

The fear of finals along with excitement for winter break rolled into Karen Jacobs’ Sargent Choice Test Kitchen this week.

I was so excited to celebrate my first Hanukah with Karen and my second family at the test kitchen. In honor of the celebration, Karen taught us how to make her family latke recipe. The first bite of the crispy fried potato pancakes persuaded me to add this recipe to my own holiday recipe book.

Food plays a large role in holiday tradition and without it holidays would not be the same. Although family recipes are not always the healthiest choices at family gatherings, altered recipes can lose their sentimental value. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t room to start new family traditions based around healthier recipes. Whether you celebrate Hanukah, or just like the taste of latkes, Sargent Choice has created a healthier version that would make a great addition to your holiday traditions!

I hope you enjoy this Sargent Choice latke recipe made with sweet potatoes!

Happy holidays and have a relaxing break!

Sargent Choice Sweet Potato Latke

Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

4 medium sweet potatoes peeled and grated
1 cup minced onion
4 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup whole grain matzo meal or whole wheat flour
4 tablespoons light olive oil
¼ teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups unsweetened applesauce, as garnish

Directions

1. Combine grated sweet potatoes, onion, pepper, and eggs. Stir well to combine.

2. Add whole grain matzo meal or whole wheat flour and mix again. Note: Only add enough to make a batter; the mixture should not be too dry or stiff.

3. Heat half the light olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet. Drop large spoonfuls of the batter into the skillet, pressing gently with a spatula to flatten each latke. Each latke should be approximately ½ inches away from each other. Fry for 4 to 5minutes until the underside is brown, then flip and cook another 3 to 4 minutes more.

4. Remove latkes to a warm plate and repeat process with remaining oil and batter.

5. Serve immediately with applesauce.