Aharoni’s Pan-Sephardic Leek Latkes

Recipe by: Joan Nathan | from The Foods of Israel Today

Cookstr

Course: Hot Appetizer, Side Dish

Total Time: Under 1 Hour

Skill Level: Moderate

Cost: Moderate

Photo by:

Chef Israel Aharoni’s updated version of this typical Sephardic leek patty is much more flavorful than the original Balkan leek fritter, traditionally served at both Hanukkah and Passover.

Yield: About 16 large latkes or 50 small ones

INGREDIENTS

6 leeks (about 2 pounds)
1 teaspoon salt, plus to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus ¼ cup for frying
1 large onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, diced
4 shallots, diced
1/3 cup pine nuts
½ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup grated Kashkeval or Parmesan cheese
A few grinds of pepper
½ cup bread crumbs or matzoh meal, plus 1/3 cup for coating

Directions

1. Slice the leeks lengthwise and wash well to remove the grit. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and leeks and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove and cool.

2. Dice the white and some of the green of the leeks into small pieces, about ½ inch thick. Drain well, pressing the leeks in a dish towel to dry and remove any excesswater.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a frying pan and add the onions, garlic, and shallots. Sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Scatter the pine nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for a few minutes, until evenly browned.

5. Place the leeks, onions, garlic, shallots, pine nuts, cilantro, eggs, and cheese in a mixing bowl and blend well, adding salt and pepper to taste. Add about ½ cup bread crumbs, or enough to bind the ingredients together.

6. Take about ¼ cup of the leek mixture and form a patty 2 inches in diameter. (For cocktail-size patties, use 1 heaping teaspoon of mixture. This will make a lctke about ¾ inch in diameter.) Coat each patty with bread crumbs and repeat until all the batter is used up.

7. Coat a nonstick frying pan evenly with some of the remaining olive oil and fry the patties a few at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information is based on 50 servings.

Calories 40kcal (2%)

Sodium 70mg (3%)

Total Carbohydrate 3g

Fiber 0g

Fat 3g (4%)

Trans Fat 0g

Saturated Fat 0g (2%)

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g