My Simple Recipe for Butternut Squash Latkes is the answer to your low carb prayers.
While I love a traditional latke as much as the next person, I can’t digest potatoes, so the classic potato latke is not on the menu for me.
Simple Recipe for Butternut Squash Latkes
In its place, I’ve created my Simple Recipe for Butternut Squash Latkes. It’s not only low carb, this gluten free recipe is also SCD compliant!
Side Dishes Low Carb
This Simple Recipe for Butternut Squash Latke is one of my all time favorite dishes because the crispiness of these vegetable pancakes is delightful, along with the hint of sweetness added by the squash.
Gluten Free Latkes
Below is my recipe with 4 Ingredients for low carb, gluten free, SCD butternut squash latkes.
I hope they light up your holiday and fill your family’s bellies with cheer!
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Butternut Squash Latkes
Ingredients
- 4 cups butternut squash, peeled and grated (about 22 ounces)
- 1 small onion, peeled and grated
- 3 large eggs, whisked
- ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- grapeseed oil or olive oil, for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine squash, onion, eggs, and salt
- Squeeze excess liquid from mixture and discard
- Heat ¼ inch oil in a 9 inch skillet
- Scoop ¼ cup of batter at a time onto skillet and flatten
- Fry each side over medium heat until browned and crispy
- Transfer latkes to a paper towel lined baking sheet
- Repeat process with remaining batter
- Serve with Homemade Applesauce and sour cream or yogurt
Equipment
How to Reheat Latkes
Need to reheat your latkes? Here’s what to do!
First, as you’re making the latkes, you’ll want to place them on a paper towel lined baking sheet after you fry them.
If you need to reheat the latkes, transfer from the paper towels to a wire rack that sits on top of the baking sheet, then throw them back in the oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes to re-crisp.
What is a Latke?
What are latkes? Traditional latkes are a fried potato pancake that often contain wheat flour or gluten.
Latke Pronunciation
For those of you wondering about the proper latke pronunciation, I’m here to help.
You may be wondering, is it latke or latka? The word latke is pronounced “lot-kuh,” with the draw in the vowels.
Is Latke a Yiddish Word?
You might be wondering, is latke a Yiddish word? Actually, while the word is Yiddish, it is derived from the East Slavic oladka, the diminutive of “small fried pancake.”
Diagnosed with Celiac Disease
I wish I could partake in every traditional food, such as latkes (as is), under the sun. Once I was diagnosed with celiac disease, that was no longer possible.
So, I made it my mission to create healthy gluten free versions of my favorite recipes.
Recipes for Low Carb Latke
Now, I’m not only gluten free, I follow a low carb diet as well. That’s where my recipes for low carb latkes come into play.
Low Carb Latkes
While butternut squash is not really a low carb food, it does contain approximately 60% of the carbohydrates found in potatoes.
If you want to celebrate Hanukkah with tasty fried foods and don’t want to stray too far from your Low Carb Diet, this is one of those recipes for low carb latkes that makes sense to indulge in.
SCD Latkes
Additionally, my Butternut Squash Latkes are fabulous if you can’t digest potatoes, and since they do not contain potatoes, they are also SCD compliant.
I love the SCD, also referred to as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. This diet heals the gut by eliminating certain starchy foods.
I started following the SCD over 20 years ago, and it provides a fantastic framework for keeping my gut happy and healthy. Goodbye potatoes, hello Hannukkah with butternut squash latkes.
When is Hanukkah and Why Do We Eat Latkes?
Now, on to some other pertinent details pertaining to Hanukkah or Chanukkah. This year (2022), the celebration of lights begins at sundown on Sunday, December 18th.
What is Chanukkah?
Chanukkah is referred to as the Festival of Lights. During this Jewish festival, which is not a Holy Day, we celebrate an incident of divine intervention that occurred over two thousand years ago.
The Chanukkah miracle involved a very tiny flask of pure olive oil that lasted for 8 days until a refill of oil could be retrieved.
To honor this, Ashkenazi Jews celebrate by frying a variety of foods in oil, including, but not limited to, latkes, as well as sweet things like donuts (aka sufganiyot), and much more.
Incidentally, one of our family traditions is my Almond Flour Fried Apples recipe.
Carrot Scallion Latkes: Vegetable Pancakes
Another one of our cherished Hanukkah traditions is making veggie pancakes with all sorts of fun, healthy ingredients.
That includes my savory Carrot and Scallion Latka that have a coconut flour batter –as you can see above, this beta carotene rich mixture browns to a beautiful crisp!
Recipes for Gluten Free Hanukkah Food
Every year at Hanukkah, I make the boys Homemade Apple Sauce to serve over their latkes. Here’s that recipe and more for you!
Happy Hanukkah
All in all, when it comes to Hanukkah and frying, latkes aren’t the only way, but they’re my favorite Hanukkah when it comes to using vegetables for side dishes.
I hope the Festival of Lights brightens up your life in the dark of winter!
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared Butternut Squash Latkes in 2007.
~M says
Chag Sameach! These were SO delicious! It’s amazing how sticky butternut squash is, without any added starch! My husband really liked them too!
The only change I made is the oil: I used organic, virgin/unrefined coconut oil since I’ve read it’s healthier, especially for frying, than grapeseed. Plus, I have a new gallon of it, thanks to a present from my mom! :) I didn’t need very much oil to fry these in my cast iron pan.
Elana says
~M, thanks for your awesome comment and for letting me know these are SO delicious!
Sarah says
I’m excited to try the latkes and avoid the crash after I eat potatoes!
Elana says
Thanks Sarah!
Eric says
Friday night is coming! These guys are going to join us over that 8 days, for sure! :]
Elana says
Thanks Eric!
cheryl says
OK Elena,
This is the second year I have made the SCD compliant butternut squash latkes. While the rest of my family was bloated with indigestion from potato latkes, my husband and I were enjoying easy digestion and mouth-watering sensations eating the squash latkes. We’ll never miss potato latkes again. These are simply scrumptious! Honestly, people just don’t know what they are missing.
Elana says
Cheryl, I’m so happy to hear these are simply scrumptious :-)
Julie Carlsen says
Just made these and they are ALL gone. So delicious. Some cracked sea salt on top was perfect. I didn’t have grapeseed oil so used some sesame oil I had on hand.
But now I’m interested in finding a way to bake/broil them in batches on a cookie sheet. With no oil would be my thought. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks!
Elana says
Julie, I haven’t tried baking these so not sure if that would work. I’m so happy to hear these latkes are so delicious!
April says
I, too, am part of the Crossfit community. I first bought your book because I follow a paleo+dairy diet and then stumbled upon your website. My husband and I are passionate about eating real food and avoiding refined foods including grains. We hope to set a good example for our newborn girl.
I can’t wait to try this squash recipe. Roasted butternut squash is one of our staples and I have a feeling this will be as well.
Thanks so much!
Elana says
April, thanks for your lovely comment! I’m so glad to hear that you are enjoying my book :-)
Eric says
Thank you for this recipie! (I will be using some others as well!) I am very excited that you are both Gluten Free and Jewish! That is more than I bargained for. :]
I have been on a strict form of the Paleo Diet, infusing elements from Barry Sears’ “Zone.”
I am a member of a new, and quickly growing, world-wide phenomenon known as CrossFit. The CrossFit program has been introducing Paleo eating to thousands of people (athletes, firefighters, police, military, housewives, and grandmas!). Many of us are completely grain free, legume free (no peanuts!), and dairy free (except for a bit of heavy whipping or manufacturing cream).
Your website is a goldmine!
So as Hanukkah is approaching any ideas other than latkes, like maybe jelly donughts ? :]
I know a few CrossFit Jews that would be very grateful about this! (I am sure they will love the Macaroons for Passover).
Thanks again.
You are a Rockstar!
Elana says
Eric, thanks so much! Here’s a link to my Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/jelly-donut-cupcakes/
And here’s the link to my Egg-Free Macaroons:
https://elanaspantry.com/egg-free-paleo-macaroons/
Rockstar? That’s high praise!
Elana
jyoti says
Next time I come across a butternut squash, I’m trying this. Have you tried making almond yogurt? I did a raw version where you soak the almonds, blend them with water and then add salt and lemon. It came out more like ricotta, but I liked it.
I want to try adding cultures and fermenting it sometime.
elana says
Hi Jyoti, The almond yogurt sounds delicious!
Jyoti says
Have you tried making this yogurt with some coconut yogurt culture?
Elana says
Jyoti, I’m working on it :-)
Jason says
Do you wring out the extra moisture out of the squash in a dish towel, like you would with potatoes, or do you use as is?
Thanks!
Elana says
Jason, no need to do that :-)
zannestar says
These were absolutely delicious! I couldn’t have imagined the flavor, so wonderful, and perfect with applesauce. We will definitely be making these again – thank you!
Elana says
Zannestar, thanks for letting me know these are absolutely delicious!