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20
Dec
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Butternut Squash Latkes with Sage & Nutmeg |
I know, I know. I ditched you for over a week and therefore I should return with something that’s not almost exactly the same as what I shared last time. But really, could you ever get sick of latkes? I debated on whether it was socially acceptable to share these so long after Hanukkah and whether it makes me a totally slacking, need-to-get-my-sh!t-together-earlier-next-year blogger. If that’s how you feel, you can quietly stay away for the next seventy two hours because day-by-day I’ll be sharing the makings for a gourmet latke trio I put together for a belated Hanukkah dinner.
Which brings me to my next point. Belated Hanukkah dinners are still happening. In fact, it’s not all that uncommon for families to have their Hanukkah celebrations on Christmas, simply because it’s a day most of us happen to be free. And who says latkes are just for Hanukkah? I can’t think of a single Christian who would turn down latkes on Christmas (in fact, I know some who have specifically requested them.) And when pared down in size, latkes served as a party hors d’oeuvre on New Years Eve (or anytime) are a guaranteed hit. (Another reason they’re a perfect choice? They can be made ahead and frozen.)
So what’s in a latke? Well, really, any vegetable that lends itself to grating. I first threw together these butternut squash latkes for a Hanukkah dinner with friends, and they were such a hit that I immediately got several requests for the recipe and links to the blog. The problem? I didn’t have a recipe, and I didn’t measure anything along the way. And as it usually happens when I have company, I don’t make time and space for foodie photo shoots. So my only option was to make them again. Life is really rough when you have to make more butternut squash latkes, let me tell you. This time around, I made the latkes on the smaller side to include in my latke trio. And I topped them with a bit of lightly sweetened yogurt for a cool, tangy contrast. The result? Well, let’s just say there was some toe-curling. And lots of oooh-ahhh’s and oh-my’s. I’ll leave it at that!
Butternut Squash Latkes with Sage and Nutmeg
Makes about 30 cocktail-size latkes
Printable Recipe
2 lbs peeled, diced butternut squash
2 small onions, roughly chopped
5 eggs
6 tablespoons (45gm) flour
2-3 tablespoons minced fresh sage
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons salt
freshly ground pepper
canola oil, for frying
Grate the squash and onions using the shredding attachment on a food processor, and transfer to a bowl. Add the eggs, flour, sage, nutmeg, salt and pepper; mix to combine (hands work well here!)
Add about 1/4 inch of oil to a wide, deep skillet or dutch oven and warm over high heat. When the oil is hot, gently drop the squash mixture by scant 1/4 cup-fulls into the oil. Let cook for about 10-20 seconds, then gently flatten just a bit. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until browned. Then carefully flip the latkes (these are a bit more delicate than traditional potato latkes) and continue cooking until the opposite side is browned. Remove to paper towels to let drain. Keep warm in a 300ºF oven until ready to serve. (Alternatively, latkes can be frozen and reheated in a 400ºF oven just before serving.)
Serve hot with maple yogurt sauce.
Maple-Yogurt Sauce
Whisk together the following:
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon maple syrup
dash of cinnamon
PS – The folks at General Mills have shared coupon for 50 cents off four containers of Yoplait yogurt. If you enjoy yogurt, this is also a great opportunity to help in the fight against breast cancer. Through December 31st, you can send your pink lids back to Yoplait and they will donate 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Click here to save money and save lives!
I'm Cara, lover of creative, clean food and healthy living. Pumpkin, goat cheese, and eggplant make me swoon. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and desire to lift heavy things. 
Kelly — December 20, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
You're right, I could NEVER get sick of latkes. In fact I was craving some just the other day. I love the idea of making one with butternut. How creative!
Elina — December 20, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
I'm cool with all the latkes posts. I may make a little latkes feast this weekend for my parents 🙂
Dawn — December 20, 2010 @ 4:39 pm
That happens to me too girl. Sometimes the best recipes weren't measured or photographed. I just did a broccoli cheese casserole that my hubby loved but just wasn't up to writing everything down and taking pics. Loving the latkes. I must try a butternut one.
Shanon — December 20, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
i have only tried potato latkes, but have wanted to try some different kinds. these look great!
janet — December 20, 2010 @ 5:37 pm
I am too shy to take photographs of my food during big gatherings as well. Especially since everyone is usually too polite to eat until I return. In that case I usually resort to repeating my favourites. Good for you for recraeting them with a recipe. :)Btw, I find it amusing how your last couple of posts have been devoid of nutritional analyses! These latkes look great, though. 😉
Cara — December 20, 2010 @ 5:40 pm
@Janet, don't you know there are no calories in holiday food?! hehe. But truthfully, I have no clue how to calculate the calories in fried foods since you never really know how much oil is observed. Well, that's a lie – I suppose you could measure the oil before and after. But I'm too lazy for that 🙂
Jennifurla — December 20, 2010 @ 6:08 pm
Lovely recipe, how cool! Nice recipe, I want to try this for sure.
Joanne — December 20, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
I would honestly be super happy eating latkes every day for the rest of my life. And I'm Catholic. So these are always welcome!Mmm butternut squash latkes…could you make these appeal to me any more?
Inna — December 21, 2010 @ 1:47 am
Wow, I've never tried non-potato latkes. I'll definitely have to give these a shot…good way to get my husband to eat more veggies!
grace — December 22, 2010 @ 10:36 am
with this, cara, you've become the latke queen in my eyes. dy-no-mite. 🙂
Shannon — December 23, 2010 @ 12:13 am
no worries here, you just have me craving latkes 🙂 these sound amazing!!
Shannon — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
no worries here, you just have me craving latkes 🙂 these sound amazing!!
grace — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
with this, cara, you've become the latke queen in my eyes. dy-no-mite. 🙂
Inna — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
Wow, I've never tried non-potato latkes. I'll definitely have to give these a shot…good way to get my husband to eat more veggies!
janet — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
I am too shy to take photographs of my food during big gatherings as well. Especially since everyone is usually too polite to eat until I return. In that case I usually resort to repeating my favourites. Good for you for recraeting them with a recipe. :)Btw, I find it amusing how your last couple of posts have been devoid of nutritional analyses! These latkes look great, though. 😉
Shannon — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am
no worries here, you just have me craving latkes 🙂 these sound amazing!!
Jennifurla — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am
Lovely recipe, how cool! Nice recipe, I want to try this for sure.
janet — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am
I am too shy to take photographs of my food during big gatherings as well. Especially since everyone is usually too polite to eat until I return. In that case I usually resort to repeating my favourites. Good for you for recraeting them with a recipe. :)Btw, I find it amusing how your last couple of posts have been devoid of nutritional analyses! These latkes look great, though. 😉
janet — April 5, 2011 @ 1:13 am
I am too shy to take photographs of my food during big gatherings as well. Especially since everyone is usually too polite to eat until I return. In that case I usually resort to repeating my favourites. Good for you for recraeting them with a recipe. :)Btw, I find it amusing how your last couple of posts have been devoid of nutritional analyses! These latkes look great, though. 😉
Inna — April 5, 2011 @ 1:13 am
Wow, I've never tried non-potato latkes. I'll definitely have to give these a shot…good way to get my husband to eat more veggies!
grace — April 5, 2011 @ 1:13 am
with this, cara, you've become the latke queen in my eyes. dy-no-mite. 🙂
Shannon — April 5, 2011 @ 1:13 am
no worries here, you just have me craving latkes 🙂 these sound amazing!!
Shannon — April 5, 2011 @ 1:13 am
no worries here, you just have me craving latkes 🙂 these sound amazing!!