8 Delicious Latke Recipes That Prove You Don’t Need White Potatoes

Photograph courtesy iStock/FoodieMedia.

The traditional latke recipe is pretty simple: two grated Russet potatoes, two eggs, two tablespoons of  flour, and some salt and pepper, mixed up into pancakes and fried in oil. Delicious, but not exactly the picture of health.

But who says you even need white potatoes? If you’re looking for some latke options that are more nutrient-dense and use vegetables that are packed with more vitamins than your average potato, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has you covered. We tried all eight of these recipes, and they all got our taste-bud stamp of approval.

Here are eight ways to do white-potato-free latkes — one for each night of Hanukkah.

The Vegetable Medley Latkes

We love this bright, delicious and crunchy latke that combines celery root, corn, shredded carrots, and onions. Add a bit of fresh dill to round-out the harvest theme! Recipe from Joy of Kosher, available here.

The Spaghetti Squash Latkes

We love how easy it is to get the tiny spaghetti strands nice and crispy in this recipe. With some fresh herbs and a dash of Pecorino Romano, these latkes are a gluten-free crowd pleaser. Check it out at Kitchn.

The Brussel Sprout Latkes

The fantastic Molly Yeh is famous for her Jewish fusion recipes, and her Brussel Sprout Latkes with balsamic dijon recipe is no exception. We love how such a simple recipe creates big flavor and adds a special surprise element to our Hanukkah table.

The Carrot and Beet Latkes

These delicious latkes are sure to win over anyone at your table, even beet-haters! Add a little goat cheese on top to really bring out the flavor. Get the recipe at Epicurious.

The Classic Sweet Potato Latkes

Okay so, yes, these are technically potatoes. But sweet potatoes are way more nutrient dense than white potatoes — hello, vitamin A! We like them either grated or mashed in this recipe.

The Vegan Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini is another traditional potato swap, but this baked recipe makes them taste incredibly rich and savory. Be sure to get extra zucchini before making your first batch — because you’ll immediately want to make more.

The Crispy Cauliflower Latkes

This cauliflower recipe is so easy and the add-in options are endless. For an Indian-inspired take, add scallions and mint to the batter and serve it up with a side of spicy chutney!

The “Cheesy” Broccoli Latkes

Adding nutritional yeast makes these latkes taste like an indulgent treat. You can omit the oil and choose to bake them instead to make it an even healthier meal. Get the recipe at Every Last Bite.

Rabbi Deborah Glanzberg-Krainin is the Chief Program and Strategy Officer for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.