Potato Pancakes with Caramelized Onion

Do you ever have a craving for something that goes unsatiated for literally months? It happens to me sometimes. Because it isn’t the right season, or it’s a bit involved to make and I have to do some mustering, or the restaurant that serves the perfect incarnation of the dish is either out of business (and I need to perfect a new take on it) or far away. Honestly, I don’t mind because it teaches me a bit of detachment. โ€œZen and the art of waiting for the perfect dishโ€. And…I’m that much more pleased once I actually get to savor it. As the saying goes, “Hunger is the best seasoning.”

Potato Pancakes

So, I’d had a hankering for potato pancakes for…I dunno…10 months or so. When we finally made them last night, they were heavenly. Needed salt, (because of the whole temporary salt-fast) but still nirvana. It is quite tasty without salt, so potato pancakes are a regular tried and true, salt-free dish. When we make them in the late summer/early fall, when the summer squash are still abundant and the first potatoes are coming in at the farmers market, I like to use some zucchini in place of about 1/3 of the grated potato. Yum!

For these, zucchini isn’t in season right now, so they are all potato with some added chopped green onion and garlic. Quite flavorful. We were peckish after a hike, so I kept thinking I was going to make a salad or something to have with them, but…never got to it. Totally indulgent, I know. A dinner consisting totally of potato pancakes. But enjoyed to the fullest.

We served them topped with caramelized onions and sour cream with a little orange vinegar in it. The sweet-tart flavor of the orange vinegar with the sour cream plays nicely off the heaviness of the caramelized onion and pan-fried potato pancakes. I thought I’d share the “recipe” since it was such a treat and I so anticipated eating them.

As usual, I suggest you find as many ingredients as you can, locally/sustainably/organically as possible. With the little we know about genetically modified/engineered organisms (GMO), and the prevalence of genetically modified potatoes and the toxic chemicals used on conventional potatoes, I recommend you find a local, reputable grower in your area to buy yours from. Plus, you might discover some delightful varieties (Russian Banana Fingerlings, Rose Finn Apple Fingerlings, German Butterballs, Huckleberries, etc.)

Potato Pancakes (serves 4, as part of a meal. serves 2 if it IS the meal)

4 medium potatoes, grated (I prefer Yukon Golds for their depth of flavor)
4 eggs
1/4-1/2 C. flour for binding (I used whole wheat pastry flour since I always have it on hand and it’s tender while being whole grain)
1/2 bunch of green onions, chopped
5-7 garlic cloves, grated or minced
oil – safflower/sunflower/peanut – some good quality oil for shallow, pan-frying
1 or 2 onions, sliced in half moons and cooked in olive oil until translucent and caramelized (about 20 minutes)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees so you can keep the finished potato pancakes warm. Line a plate with paper towel and set aside.

You can use a box grater, but if you have a food processor with a grater blade, this dish will go much faster, with less effort. Put the grated potato in a kitchen towel (like in the photo) and twist it to wring out all the excess liquid. Some potatoes have more water than others, but if the consistency is too wet, all the ingredients won’t bind well. We squeezed out about 1/2 a cup or so. Discard the liquid (unless you can think of a brilliant use for it).

Grated potato process

Mix in the eggs, and some of the flour, adding more if the consistency is too wet and won’t hold together. Once the consistency is right, add the chopped green onions and minced or grated garlic. Now would be the time to season the mixture with salt (if you are using it) and pepper. Go light on the seasoning, and you can taste one of the first pancakes to see if you need to add more.

We use a non-stick pan and about one tablespoon of oil per batch of potato pancakes in the pan. You’ll have to see what’s right in your pan, but you shouldn’t need more than just a thin coating of oil to help brown (rather than burn) the pancakes. Heat the pan on about medium-high, and when it’s hot, spoon two to three tablespoons of grated potato mixture into the pan for each pancake. We were able to fit three at a time in our 12 inch pan.

Cooking Potato Pancakes

Depending on the heat of the pan, each side takes about two to three minutes. Make sure you add oil before each batch so the pancakes get nice and golden. If they don’t have enough oil, the pieces touching the pan burn before the inside finishes cooking. Put cooked potato pancakes on the paper towel lined plate (to catch some of the oil), and into the warm oven until you are ready to eat. I love them topped with caramelized onions and sour cream, but they are also tasty with chopped chives and a sprinkling of smoked paprika. Yum!

15 thoughts on “Potato Pancakes with Caramelized Onion”

  1. Shibani – Thanks!

    Shriya – Thank you. Glad it seemed straightforward. Actually, even better than caramelized onion, I bet these would be awesome with some tamarind chutney. YUM!

  2. I LOVE potato pancakes and have been craving them myself of late. Never tried them with caramelized onion, but I do like chutney with mine, too. Tried them once with my homemade blueberry-ginger chutney… very tasty! So maybe I’ll pull out the ginger pickle and make some tonight.

    Oh, and I quite agree about the zucchini… but Bri, that’s what you freeze shredded zucchini for! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  3. yummmm. This is also one of my favorite recipes. Ever you ever tried making it with Sweet Potatoes? They are very delicious as well.

  4. Jen – Ooooo…homemade blueberry-ginger chutney. Ginger pickle would be awesome too. Yes! I almost mentioned frozen grated zucchini, but since I haven’t had an abundant homegrown crop in a couple years, I didn’t say anything. But you are so right.

    Trupti – Thanks!

    Belle – Mine too. I haven’t tried it with sweet potatoes, but I was just thinking when I made them, that it would be good to try yams or Japanese sweet potatoes. Yummy!

  5. I have a weakness for these. As for unsatiated cravings, one of my favorite quotes from Kingsolver’s book is: “Value is not made of money, but a tender balance of expectation and longing.” Indeed!

  6. Coffee – I had never heard of potato rosti before. But now, I’ve looked them up, and it turns out, that’s pretty much what I made. Funny how some good ideas are just universal.

  7. hi bri!

    oh man this looks so yummy! i swear i think you could make an old shoe look tasty.

    i just so happen to have some yukon golds (who are unsure of their purpose) sitting around, and a handy dandy food processor. i am going to make these for our out of town visitors on sunday – thanks for breaking the recipe down into manageable and easy to follow bites!

  8. Hi Gigi! You crack me up! Well, it’s a lot of pressure that my instrux are going to be the basis of your out-of-town visitors’ sustenance…but I wish you the best of luck. Let me know how clear everything is. The main things to watch are that the heat is high enough, and there is enough oil. If either of those is off, you’ll end up with soggy or burnt pancakes, not tasty. Enjoy! Actually some deviled eggs, braised asparagus, and a big salad would make a wonderful Easter brunch with these potato pancakes. Now I’m hungry ๐Ÿ™‚

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