Celebrate Hanukkah this year with the fancy, grown-up version of the classic latke: the rösti. This Swish dish is a creative take on the staple Hanukkah latke recipe—we even added grated onion to ours to add in more of that signature latke flavor. This larger pan-fried potato pancake is perfect for slicing, topping and sharing, so everyone can have a bite with their fave toppings and additions. Plus, it's gluten-free, so everyone at your Hanukkah party can enjoy!
What's the difference between a rösti, latkes and hash browns?
Great question! While these dishes all have their differences in ingredients, method and origin, they are very similar—kind of like culinary cousins. A rösti is a Swiss dish that, in its purest form, is shredded potato, seasoned with salt and pepper, and pan-fried in clarified butter, or ghee. American hash browns are simpler, using only shredded potatoes and vegetable or canola oil to fry the smaller cakes. Latkes are very similar to the rösti, but also incorporate egg and flour into the pancakes, and are pan-fried in canola oil instead of clarified butter.
How do I get my rösti super crispy?
Frying in clarified butter is what gives the rösti its beautifully crip exterior while the interior remains buttery. However, we went the extra mile to ensure ours was extra crisp. Though some cooks finish the rösti on the stove, a quick 15 minutes in the oven—like we did here—will help crisp up the edges and seal it together.
What should I top my rösti with?
We're glad you asked—the best part of this recipe has to be all of the delicious topping options. We view it almost like a Hanukkah pizza—cut off a slice and top as you will. We love the classic apple sauce, but you can go fancy with a bit of lox, sour cream, fresh dill, and roe if you really want to get fancy. You also can't go wrong with a fried egg and hot sauce!
Tried this recipe? Let us know how it came out in the comments below.
