Happy Hanukkah 2010: Sweet Potato Latkes aka Potato Pancakes with Applesauce Sour Cream

Happy Hanukkah 2010! Latkes, or Potato Pancakes, are a traditional fried food that is eaten during Hanukkah (some spell as chanukah) so I decided to go beyond the classic Latkes and include Sweet Potato.  Now, we are not Jewish however, we do have friends that celebrate Jewish holidays and since today is the first night of Hanukkah (Chanukah), we are making a twist on the classic latkes: Presenting Sweet Potato Pancakes…..

Sweet Potato Latkes and Applesauce Sour Cream (Yield: 14 Latkes)
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 reduced fat sour cream
3  cups  shredded peeled sweet potato (about 3/4 pound)
3  cups  shredded peeled baking potato (about 3/4 pound)
1  cup  grated sweet onion
6  tablespoons  whole wheat pastry or all-purpose flour
1/2  teaspoon  curry powder
1/2  teaspoon  dried thyme
1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
1/4  teaspoon  Kosher salt
6  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
1  large egg
1/4  cup  olive oil, divided

Preparation
1. Combine applesauce and sour cream in a bowl and mix well. Cover and place in refrigerator.

2. Combine sweet potato, potato, and onion in a colander and drain 30 minutes, pressing every few minutes with a plastic spatula or spoon until barely moist.

3. Combine potato mixture, curry, thyme, salt, pepper, flour and egg in a large bowl and mix well.

4. Heat 1/8 cup of the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Scoop 1/4 cup of the potato mixture into a dry measuring cup and then place in the pan. Flatten the potato into a loose pancake shape and repeat until you have 6 latkes in the pan (or whatever fits comfortably). Cook the latkes for about 3-31/2 minutes or until a light brown and then flip and repeat. Place the cooked latkes aside and repeat the process until all of the latkes are sauteed.

5. Sprinkle some dried thyme on applesauce sour cream and serve with the latkes.