Deruny (Ukrainian Potato Pancakes) - Recipes From Europe (2024)

FAQs

What country invented potato pancakes? ›

Potato latkes are a more recent Ashkenazi invention that gained popularity in Eastern Europe during the mid 1800? s. A series of crop failures in Poland and the Ukraine led to mass planting of potatoes, which were easy and cheap to grow. But before potatoes came on the scene, the latke of choice was cheese.

Potato pancakes have a creamy, almost mashed-potato-like center, with a thin, golden, crisp exterior. Latkes, on the other hand, should have a deeply browned crust, with wispy, lacy edges. Latkes also aren't hash browns.

Draniki is the Russian word for these potato fritters. Deruny is the Ukrainian word. Latkes is the Yiddish word. "Potato Fritters" is the description of the recipe in English, so you can explain to your family and friends the delicious dish you're serving them!

The history of the origin of Deruny is attributed to the proximity of Ukraine to Belarus, due to its resemblance to the Belarusian Draniks. In Belarus it was spread from Germany in its turn, although Ukrainian cuisine had no lack of dishes prepared with potatoes.

European 'pancakes' originated from Brittany, in the north of France. They are thin and flat cakes with a reference to “frying pan cakes” found in the work of 5th century BC Greek poets. When made with wheat flour they are called crȇpes, and galettes when made with buckwheat flour.

Though the potato pancake is a Polish invention, it does exist in many other European cuisines too. They are common in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Austria and Germany. In Jewish cuisine they are known as latkes, while Hungarians love them accompanied by paprika sauce.

Fry in an oil with a high smoke point

Vegetable oil or canola oil is usually best, because of its high smoking point. Latkes were traditionally made with schmaltz, or chicken fat, so if you have access to it, you should certainly add it in, because it does contribute to the flavor.

If the potato pancakes are falling apart while you're shaping them before you start cooking, they are either either too wet or they need more flour to hold them together. You can also mix the flour a little more the mix to develop gluten and then let it rest before cooking.

The potato pancake is much simpler, with nothing but raw grated potatoes, egg, and all-purpose flour. The latke, on the other hand, adds baking powder, matzo meal, and even a splash of milk, according to Cooktoria. Surprisingly, the potato pancake has a longer preparation time due to the simplicity of its batter.

Why do Jews eat applesauce with latkes? ›

Tradition says so

Latkes are usually served at dinnertime along with a meaty main, like brisket. Mixing milk and meat at the same meal is a no-no for those who keep kosher, so sour cream would be out as a latke condiment leaving the underdog apple sauce victorious.

Russet potatoes are the best potatoes for potato pancakes because they are extra starchy and bind and crisp up well. Yukon gold potatoes are denser. Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamin C, as well as vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese.

A Dutch pancake is usually larger and much thinner than the thick and fluffy American pancakes. If you order a Dutch pancake at PANCAKES Amsterdam, you will get a delicious thin pancake with a diameter of 32 centimeters. Pancakes are made of basic ingredients, namely flour, milk, salt, and eggs.

Sweden is the land of the pancake (and fermented fish, but this cuisine is far more palatable…) Swedes may not have invented the pannkaka but they've definitely made it their own. Since at least the 1500s, pancakes have been a part of the Swedish diet, and the inspiration behind a number of proverbs and old parables.

These potato pancakes (called latkes) are meant to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah, when the oil of the menorah in the ransacked Second Temple of Jerusalem was able to stay aflame for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day. The symbolism comes in the form of the oil in which latkes are fried.

The USA is probably most famous for its tempting stacks of buttermilk pancakes, while in France you'll find delicious crepes filled with a rich chocolate sauce.

600 BC - The first recorded mention of pancakes dates back to ancient Greece and comes from a poet who described warm pancakes in one of his writings. 1100 AD – Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) becomes a traditional way to use up dairy products before lent – the pancake breakfast is born.