Make Ahead

Zucchini Radish Latkes

by:
September  5, 2010
4.7
3 Ratings
  • Serves a couple dozen
Author Notes

This is a variation on the well-known potato pancake fried up for Chanukah. Though most people only know about potato latkes, traditionally you can use many different vegetables. This recipe is low in carbs and can be made vegan and gluten-free. - cyndin —cyndin

Test Kitchen Notes

Grated radishes add a spicy note to mild zucchini in this "cousin" to the beloved potato latke. These tender, light pancakes fry up an appealing golden brown, and adapt to a variety of seasonings. I tested a half recipe (3 cups of grated zucchini from 3 medium sized squash, 1/2 cup grated radish, and 2 tablespoons flour), flavored with 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and one thinly sliced scallion. I included scallion in the belief that any " latke" needs a representative of the onion family! – AppleAnnie —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 5 pounds zucchini (6 cups shredded)
  • 2 bunches radishes
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons flour (matzoh meal or brown rice flour)
  • Salt to taste, if needed, plus salt for step 2
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Other seasonings as desired, such as hot pepper or cumin or garlic
  • Olive oil for frying
Directions
  1. Coarsely grate zucchini and finely grate radish roots by hand or with a food processor.
  2. Put vegetables into a bowl and salt them well (no more than is palatable, but don't go too light, you will be removing salt later). Mix and let sit for at least an hour (up to 4 hours).
  3. One handful at a time, squeeze vegetables well and discard the liquid. You may want to do this twice. If mixture is still too salty, rinse with fresh water and squeeze again.
  4. Add eggs (to make vegan, use 4 TB flaxmeal in 1 cup hot water which has been allowed to cool and gel), flour, and seasonings and mix well. Taste before adding eggs to see if you need more salt.
  5. Heat a fair amount of olive oil in a heavy pan to medium-high. Use a spoon to drop balls of mix (about 1.5? wide) in to the hot oil. Smoosh down with spatula. Let them brown on one side then turn, adding more oil as needed. Turn more if they are not fully cooked. Don’t let them burn but remember that these vegetables need to be cooked more than potatoes or they will taste raw.
  6. Serve hot with applesauce or sour cream (or both).

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • cyndin
    cyndin
  • TheWimpyVegetarian
    TheWimpyVegetarian

3 Reviews

cyndin September 7, 2010
Thank you. You can also bake them. You'll still need oil, but not as much. Use a 400*F oven and a cookie sheet with a small lip, nothing too deep or they won't crisp up. Get the pan and oil hot before adding the latke mix.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian September 7, 2010
Hey, thanks!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian September 5, 2010
This looks GREAT! I'm definitely trying this! I try to avoid fried foods, but this is really calling me. Thanks for posting!