Potatoes have long been associated with Hanukkah, which begins Thursday evening, Dec. 10, because potato latkes — pancakes made of shredded potatoes — are customary at holiday dinners. In fact it’s oil that commemorates the Hanukkah miracle, and it can be used in a variety of potato dishes.

After ancient Jerusalem was liberated from invaders, the oil that was needed to rekindle the Holy Temple’s eternal light was said to have miraculously lasted for eight days instead of one. That’s why Hanukkah is celebrated with candle-lighting for eight days.

Olive oil was used in ancient Israel for lighting lamps and for cooking, and this is the oil that we use to prepare our potato dishes for Hanukkah.

Potato kugel, made from a baked mixture of potatoes, eggs and flavorings, is a favorite of ours for the holiday. Some cooks make their kugels from grated potatoes, using a batter that resembles that of potato latkes. In our family we sometimes prepare mashed potato kugel flavored with mushrooms and onions sauteed in olive oil, dotted with vegetables and seasoned with saffron.

Unlike my mother, who was born in Poland, we fry our potato latkes in olive oil. Although we frequently serve the standard latke accompaniments of sour cream and apple sauce, we like to vary our toppings. We enjoy eating our potato latkes with yellow pepper cheese sauce and black olives, a popular Peruvian way to serve potatoes. After all, Peru is where potatoes were first domesticated, and the Peruvians are experts in potato preparation.

We also like smashed potatoes, for which lightly cooked potatoes are flattened and baked with olive oil so their edges become crisp. They might be the easiest Hanukkah potato treats to make.

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Mashed Potato Kugel with Sauteed Mushrooms

Serving mashed potato kugel with mushrooms sauteed in olive oil. (Photo by Yakir Levy) 

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 pounds yellow-fleshed boiling potatoes, such as baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes or medium-large Yukon Gold Potatoes

1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

Pinch of saffron threads, crushed (about 1/8 teaspoon)

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 pound onions (2 medium-large), chopped (about 3 cups)

6 ounces mushrooms, diced (about 2 2/3 cups)

1 teaspoon paprika, plus more for sprinkling

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste

1 large carrot (about 5 ounces), diced small (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup small broccoli florets

1/2 cup frozen peas

4 large eggs

1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley

1 hard-boiled egg, diced small

Cook’s notes: If using small potatoes with tender skins, you don’t need to peel them.

Mashed potato kugel with mushrooms sauteed in olive oil is shown straight from the oven. (Photo by Yakir Levy) 

PROCEDURE

1. In a large saucepan, cover the whole potatoes with water, add a few pinches of salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until they are tender enough to mash, about 25 minutes for small potatoes, 40 minutes for large ones. Transfer them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Pour their broth into another bowl.

2. Combine the saffron and 1/3 cup hot potato broth in a cup. Let stand, covered, about 30 minutes.

3. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon paprika and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture browns lightly, about 7 minutes. Taste; adjust seasoning.

4. Return 2 cups potato broth to the saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add the carrot and broccoli. Cook uncovered over high heat for 5 minutes. Add the peas; boil until the vegetables are tender, about 1 minute. Remove them with a slotted spoon.

5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using large potatoes, peel them. Finely mash the potatoes in batches with a potato masher; if using small unpeeled potatoes, remove large pieces of peel that come off easily.

6. Stir in the saffron mixture and 2 tablespoons oil, then the uncooked eggs one by one. Add 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; mix well. Lightly stir in the parsley, mushroom mixture, vegetables and hard boiled egg.

7. Oil a 2-quart baking dish. Spoon in the potato mixture; smooth the top. Drizzle with the remaining oil. Sprinkle with paprika.

8. Bake uncovered until the top is firm and golden, about 50 minutes. Let stand 30 minutes before serving.

9. Serve hot or warm. Run a knife around the edges to make serving easier.  Serve with a spoon.

Potato Latkes with Peruvian Yellow Pepper Cheese Sauce

Potato latkes are served with Peruvian yellow pepper cheese sauce, olives and hard-boiled eggs. (Photo by Yakir Levy) 

Fried latkes can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat them on a cookie sheet in a 450-degree oven for a few minutes.

Yield: 4 or 5 appetizer servings

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

1 1/4 to 1 1/3 pounds russet potatoes (about 3 or 4)

1 medium-large onion (about 8 ounces), peeled, halved

1 large egg

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying), more if needed

Yellow pepper cheese sauce, room temperature, plus extra pepper puree (see recipe)

15 black olives

2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley

3 hard boiled eggs, quartered

PROCEDURE

1. To keep the latkes warm, heat oven to 250F. Have a baking sheet ready. Line a plate with paper towels.

2. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and white pepper in a small bowl.

3. Peel the potatoes. Using a coarse grating or shredding disc of a food processor or the large holes of a grater, grate the potatoes and onion, alternating potato and onion. Transfer the mixture to a strainer. Squeeze it by handfuls, removing as much liquid as possible. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.

4. Add the egg; mix well. Add the flour mixture; mix well.

5. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a deep, heavy large skillet over medium heat. For each latke, slide 1 heaping tablespoonful potato mixture into the pan. Flatten it with the back of a spoon to a pancake about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Add more pancakes without crowding. Fry them until crisp and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side; use 2 pancake turners to turn them carefully so the oil doesn’t splatter. Transfer them to paper towels. Stir the batter before frying each batch. Reduce the heat if necessary so the pancakes don’t become too dark. Add more oil to the pan as needed; heat it before adding more latkes. Keep them warm on the baking sheet in the oven. If the last few spoonfuls of batter are watery, leave the liquid in the bowl to prevent splatters.

6. Before serving, pat the latkes with paper towels. Serve hot or warm, with the sauce, extra pepper puree, olives, parsley and hard boiled egg quarters.

Yellow Pepper Cheese Sauce

This Peruvian yellow pepper cheese sauce variation is made with yellow bell peppers. (Photo by Yakir Levy) 

Frozen aji amarillo, Peruvian yellow peppers, can be found at markets that carry South American ingredients. To substitute sweet peppers, see the variation.

Yield: about 1 cup, 4 or 5 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 frozen Peruvian yellow peppers (scant 3 ounces), thawed, halved, seeds and membranes removed

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, chopped (1 teaspoon)

1 cup (packed) queso fresco (fresh Mexican cheese) (about 5.3 ounces), cut in small pieces

1/2 cup whole milk

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

PROCEDURE

1. Pepper puree: Cut the peppers in pieces. In a blender, puree the peppers with 1 tablespoon oil to a paste. Transfer to a bowl; don’t wash blender yet.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until softened but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and heat for a few seconds, stirring. Cool the mixture in a bowl.

3. Put the onion mixture in the blender. Add the cheese, 1/3 cup milk and 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pepper puree. Blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, gradually blend in more milk at low speed. Scrape down the blender sides. Blend the sauce again until smooth. Add salt, pepper and more pepper puree to taste.

4. Reserve the remaining pepper puree for serving separately.

Variation: Substitute 1/2 yellow bell pepper for Peruvian peppers. Remove core and seeds. Broil pepper half skin side up on foil until skin blackens in spots, about 5 minutes. Enclose pepper in foil. Let cool. Peel with paring knife. Puree with oil, following step one, and add hot pepper sauce to taste.

Smashed Potatoes with Pepita Pesto

Smashed potatoes are served with pepita pesto. (Photo by Yakir Levy) 

These crisp-edged potatoes are based on a recipe from “Live Life Deliciously” by Tara Teaspoon.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds red or white baby potatoes

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Pepita Pesto (see recipe)

Smashed potatoes baked with olive oil. (Photo by Yakir Levy) 

PROCEDURE

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large pot, cover the potatoes with water, add the salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well.

2. Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with 3 tablespoons oil. Roll the potatoes around on the baking sheet to coat them with oil.

3. Use the bottom of a glass to flatten the potatoes until about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle with the remaining oil.

4. Bake until the potatoes are golden and crisped around the edges, about 20 minutes. Serve them hot, topped with a little pesto. Serve the remaining pesto separately.

Pepita pesto

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1 cup Italian parsley sprigs or 1/2 cup mixed fresh basil, mint and oregano

3 to 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pinch of red pepper flakes, or to taste

PROCEDURE

Combine the pepitas, salt, zest, garlic and parsley in a food processor.

Pulse until the parsley is very finely chopped.

Add the orange juice and olive oil.

Pulse until just combined to a pesto-like sauce.

Add black and red pepper.

Taste for salt.

Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Faye Levy is the author of  “1,000 Jewish Recipes.”