These Cauliflower Latkes are perfect for Hanukkah. They are healthier and lower in carbohydrates than traditional potato pancakes. They are also easier to prepare! 

Lisa Zoberman, Oncology Dietitian at NorthShore, thinks that they are tastier. For an even healthier touch – add steamed and mashed broccoli to the pancake batter to create cauliflower-broccoli vegetable latkes for a nutritious Jewish holiday meal.

Recipe makes 14-16 servings

Ingredients

• 1 head fresh cauliflower, washed and cut into florets
• 3 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup whole wheat flour or matzah meal
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
• Oil, for frying

Directions:

• In a large soup pot, bring a few inches of water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets. Cover. Turn heat down to low. Cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the florets are soft enough to be easily mashed.
• Drain the cauliflower in a colander. Mash lightly with a fork, leaving some texture rather than creating a mash. Let the cauliflower cool a bit.
• Place cauliflower in a mixing bowl. Add beaten eggs.
• Add enough flour or matzah meal to create a pancake-like batter. Season with salt and pepper.
• On medium-high heat, heat a few tablespoons of oil in a frying pan. When the oil is hot, drop batter by tablespoonfuls into pan. Flatten the pancakes a bit so they are not too thick to cook well in the middle. Fry approximately 3 minutes on each side, until browned on both sides and firm in the middle.
• Remove from frying pan onto paper towels to drain excess oil and cool.
• Repeat, starting with hot oil and then dropping spoonfuls of batter, until all the batter is used.

When cooking, be sure to adjust the heat when frying. If you fry on too high heat – or with too little oil – the pancakes might burn and too low of heat will cause the pancakes to be mushy rather than crisp. Use enough oil when frying so that the pancakes won't burn, but don't use so much oil that the pancakes are oily.

Recipe adapted from Giora Shimoni at about.com