Recipe: Crisp Parsnip Latkes

Try this twist on the classic potato latke featuring one of the season's tastiest new arrivals. Parsnips sweeten up with each frosty night and are just starting to reach peak flavor in December. As a bonus, parsnips don't have as much starch as potatoes, so you can skip the soaking and squeezing step.

Makes 24 Latkes, Serves 6

Ingredients

2 pounds (900 grams) medium to large parsnips, peeled & any woody core removed

1 small onion

2 to 4 heaping tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour or potato starch

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Freshly ground white pepper

2 to 4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Mild oil with a medium-high smoke point, such as grapeseed, sunflower, or avocado, for pan-frying
Coarse finishing salt, such as Maldon sea salt
1 lemon
Optional accompaniments: applesauce, roasted smashed apples and pears and/or crème fraîche

 

1. Using the large holes of a box grater or a food processor fitted with the grating disk, grate the parsnips. You should have about 5 cups (730 grams). The parsnips may discolor slightly as they stand, but don’t worry. Grate the onion on the large holes of the box grater or fit the processor with the metal S blade and grate. It should look like pulp; mince or discard any large onion pieces.

2. In a large bowl, stir together parsnips, onion, 2 heaping tablespoons flour, salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and a few grinds of pepper. Stir in 2 eggs. If the mixture seems dry, add the remaining flour, baking powder, and eggs.

3. Line 2 or 3 sheet pans with paper towels. Place the prepared pans, the latke batter, a large spoon, and a spatula near the stove. Heat 1 or 2 large skillets over medium heat. Generously film the skillet(s) with oil (not more than 1/4-inch/6 millimeters deep). When the oil is shimmering and a tiny bit of batter sizzles on contact, start spooning in the latke batter, making sure to add both solids and liquid. Using the back of the spoon, flatten each spoonful into a circle 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters) in diameter. Do not crowd the latkes in the pan. You'll get 4 or 5 latkes in a 12-inch (30.5-centimeter) skillet.


Recipe by Amelia Saltzman.

Apple-Cabbage Salad

Ingredients
1 head savoy cabbage
½ small celeriac
1 apple
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
3 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
1 shallot
salt and pepper

Steps

1. Remove and discard outer cabbage leaves. Cut in half, remove core and slice thinly. Peel celeriac, cut into thin slices then julienne the slices. Core and peel the apple, then slice and julienne like the celeriac.
2. Peel and finely dice the shallot. Combine the shallot,vinegar, oil and a little salt and pepper in a large salad bowl. Add the cabbage, celeriac and apple to the bowl and toss. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.