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Cauliflower Latkes: A Tasty (And Healthy) Hanukkah Alternative

December 10, 2020

Each Jewish holiday comes with some delicious traditions, but my favorite holiday is Hanukkah.

Hanukkah, which starts this year at sunset on Dec. 10, celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of a one-day supply of oil burning for 8 straight days. The significance of the oil is commemorated by lighting candles for eight days and by eating foods cooked in oil.

This is why I love the holiday. Lots of doughnuts (called sufganiyot) and crispy potato pancakes (called latkes).

After the second day of Hanukkah and a mountain of fried carbs, let’s incorporate a healthier option that my stomach would tolerate a bit better. This recipe swaps high-carb potatoes for a lower-carb, low-fat alternative.

Have a great Hanukkah!

Cauliflower Latkes

To make these cauliflower latkes even more low-cal, you can swap a gallon of oil that’s normally used in the pan and give a large nonstick pan a good oil spritz.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil in an oil atomizer
  • ½ cup onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup whole grain breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp parsley minced
  • 2 sprigs thyme leaves only
  • 1 egg
  • Pinch salt and pepper
  • Plain, 0 percent-fat Greek yogurt for serving
  • Unsweetened applesauce for serving

Instructions

  1. Put your cauliflower into a food processor and pulse until it breaks up into small pieces that resemble rice.
  2. Pop your cauliflower “rice” into a microwave safe dish, cover in plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Squeeze the moisture out of the cooked cauliflower and return to the bowl.
  3. Meanwhile, add 2 tsp of olive oil to a large nonstick pan over medium low heat.
  4. Cook the onion slowly, stirring every once in a while, until golden and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Add to the dish with the cauliflower rice.
  5. Allow to cool completely.
  6. Stir in the breadcrumbs, parsley, thyme leaves, the beaten egg, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
  7. Clean out the nonstick pan and spritz with olive oil over medium high heat. Form the cauliflower mixture into patties (about 3-4 tbsp), and pan fry on each side until golden brown.
  8. Serve with Greek yogurt and applesauce on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 29 kcal
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 20 mg
Sodium: 34 mg
Potassium: 97 mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 82 IU
Vitamin C: 14 mg
Calcium: 11 mg
Iron: 1 mg

Recipe/nutrition facts from www.abbeyskitchen.com