Love and Olive Oil

Crispy Potato Latkes with Spiced Pear Compote

Crispy Potato Latkes with Spiced Pear Compote

It’s Hanukkah time, and you know what that means: latkes. Lots and lots of latkes.

I’ve discovered that when it comes to latkes, there are two kinds of people in this world: sour cream people and applesauce people. Although I’ve sometimes found myself in the center of this latke-venn diagram, dolloping both sour cream and applesauce onto my potato pancakes (I know, I’m such a rebel).

I’d argue, however, for the existence of a third distinct type of latke-consumer, one that could potentially unify the rest of the world because it’s so gosh darn delicious: pear compote. Spiced pear compote to be precise.

Crispy Potato Latkes with Spiced Pear Compote

You see, latkes on their own are little more than glorified hash browns. Ok, I take that back, latkes are way better than hashbrowns. But they’re still just crispy fried potatoes. With a topping, however, they become something I can devour by the dozen. The sweetness of the fruit (be it apple or pear) plays off the richness of the fried potato. The sour cream offsets it much like it would on a baked potato (but so much better).

This pear compote is a perfect substitution for applesauce, the natural sweetness from the fruit and a touch of brown sugar and spice will almost make you feel like you’re eating dessert. Fried potato dessert. It’s no wonder I can put these away like no other.

Anjou and Bartett Pears

December is National Pear Month, and we’ve partnered with USA Pears to showcase some of the season’s best varieties. This sweetly spiced pear compote utilizes two varieties, the softer, sweeter Bartlett for flavor and the firmer Anjou for texture. You could certainly use a single variety, but I found the mixture of the two made for the perfect balance of sweetness, flavor, and texture.

Crispy Potato Latkes with Spiced Pear Compote

The crispy latke recipe is based off my Grandmother’s recipe, which I only just discovered came from an old cookbook from 1918 called The International Jewish Cookbook. I’ve got her original copy, complete with its brittle pages and masking-taped cover. It’s a precious, beautiful thing.

Anjou and Bartett Pears

You can identify the different pear varieties by their shape and color. Bartlett pears are yellow-green in color with a classic pear shape (what a concept… a pear-shaped pear). Anjou pears, on the other hand, are often smaller, brighter green and less curvy, shaped more like an avocado than a pear.

Spiced Pear Compote with Cinnamon and Cardamon

As with these Marzipan Pear Hand Pies, you want ripe but firm pears for this compote. If the pears are too soft they’ll melt into mush as soon as they hit the heat. Firmer pears will hold their shape better, and give off less liquid that would result in a watery sauce.

I will add that this compote is not just for latkes. In fact, I’d argue that it’d be just as good spooned over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dolloped in to your morning bowl of yogurt and granola. Talk about a versatile recipe, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Crispy Potato Latkes with Spiced Pear Compote

Tip: when making latkes, it’s crucial that the grated potato be as dry as possible. So after grating (use a food processor to make quick work of this otherwise tedious task), wring out the potato in a clean kitchen towel (one that you don’t care about too much since it will turn brown). I’ve also found that a regular old salad spinner, lined with paper towels, does a bang-up job at getting excess moisture out of the potatoes.

When you’re ready to fry, you want a good 1/4-inch of oil in your pan. Take it from me, who took it from Grandma… don’t skimp on the oil or your latkes will not be nearly as crispy as they could be.

Crispy Potato Latkes with Spiced Pear Compote

Did you make this recipe?

Ingredients:

For Latkes:

  • 2 large russet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled and grated
  • 1/4 large onion
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons matzo meal or flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • vegetable oil, for cooking

For Pear Compote:

  • 1 Green Bartlett pear, ripe but firm, cored and cut into 3/8-inch dice
  • 1 Green Anjou pear, ripe but firm, cored and cut into 3/8-inch dice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamon

Directions:

  1. Turn oven on to lowest setting (170 degrees typically), and place a baking sheet inside.
  2. Squeeze as much moisture out of the grated potatoes as possible (wring it out in a clean kitchen towel or spin it in a paper-towel lined salad spinner).
  3. Combine grated potato, onion, egg, matzo meal, salt and pepper in a large bowl, folding with a fork until evenly moistened.
  4. Heat a large skillet (or two skillets if you want to speed up the cooking process) over medium heat. When hot, add a 1/4-inch deep layer of oil to the pan.
  5. When the oil is shimmery and a test piece of potato sputters and sizzles, the oil is ready. If it’s too hot and starts to smoke, reduce the heat slightly.
  6. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of potato into the hot skillet, spreading out to a 3-inch round. You should be able to cook about 3-4 latkes at a time depending on the size of your pan, but don’t overcrowd the skillet.
  7. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes more. Remove from oil with a slotted spatula, letting any excess oil drain off. Place on baking sheet in the oven to keep warm while you cook the remaining pancakes.
  8. To prepare compote, toss diced pears with lemon juice immediately after cutting to prevent browning. Set a saucepan over medium heat and add pears along with brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamon. Gently simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pears are just starting to soften. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl for serving.
All images and text © / Love & Olive Oil

Did you make this recipe?

Let us know what you think!
Leave a Comment below or share a photo and tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #loveandoliveoil.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the USA Pears. As always, all opinions written are purely our own. We’re incredibly grateful for opportunities like these that allow us to continue sharing delicious recipes with you, so thank you for supporting us and the brands we love.

There may be affiliate links in this post. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

23 Comments

  1. Wow, This looks so crispy and mouthwatering, i like it.

  2. Definitely, your crispy potato latkes with spiced pear compote are awesomeness! This is a great recipe Lindsay, as you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely, in fact, have made it again since. Thanks for sharing!

  3. I can never decided whether I like it with sour cream or apple sauce! But I love this idea of using pears! My family is obsessed with pears more than apples now so I’m sure this will be a great hit!

  4. I absolutely LOVE Latkes, never thought of combining with pear! Going to have these for Sunday supper this weekend, thanks for the recipe!

  5. My mom makes this whenever I visit her. Although, I don’t know her recipe, but I will ask her to check this recipe once.

  6. Your discovered recipe from the old cookbook of 1918 year is unique and looks amazing. I will make this recipe next week. Thx for sharing images and recipes Lindsay!

  7. yes i just love this recipe as crispy latke recipe is based off my Grandmother’s recipe…. thank you for sharing with us.

  8. This looks so crispy and mouthwatering. :)
    Can’t wait to try..

  9. I love the idea of the pear compote. By the way I have the same exact cookbook that my grandmother left us. It’s held together with a rubberband to keep the pages from falling out. 

  10. Now, this sounds dreamy!

  11. Such a great idea to use pears instead of apples. Thank you!

  12. Mmm my family likes serving latkas with apple sauce, but I actually recently made pear sauce and now I want to serve it with them!

  13. Yummy!!! I love love love pears and I’ve never had Latkes before. However I knew they are traditional for Hanukkah! 

  14. I can never decided whether I like it with sour cream or apple sauce! But I love this idea of using pears! My family is obsessed with pears more than apples now so I’m sure this will be a great hit!

  15. I LOVE that idea of the salad spinner! Genius! 

  16. These look absolutely amazing. Bring on the potato pancakes!

  17. Thank you for this Lindsay! I’ve not made Latkes in far too long, and when I saw that first photog, my mouth watered…. so I know it’s time to get in the kitchen and make em’ up!  Love the addition of pear compote!  Thank you my dear! 

  18. I absolutely LOVE  Latkes, never thought of combining with pear! Going to have these for Sunday supper this weekend, thanks for the recipe!
    x

  19. Great combo. Looks so delicious

  20. So we love applemoes or apple sauce in Holland (where I live)… And kids eat it here with anything! I love that you made a pear version! WOW! I love this and the latkes look absolutely delicious. Can’t wait to try these… <3

  21. I LOVE the addition of pears to sweeten up the fried potatoes. Take THAT boring old hashbrowns!

  22. I’m freaking obsessed with latkes. My favorite way to eat them right now is with a poached egg on top. But sheesh, I think I could take a break from that preparation and have them with some spiced pear compote(!!!). You rule, Lindsay! These look perfectly crisp – nothing worse than a soggy latke. 

Did you make this recipe? Leave a Review »