Usually, when it comes to winter holidays, we focus on Christmas. Most of our customers celebrate Christmas. However, we want to include everyone. And, even if you aren’t celebrating the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, it’s fun to try new foods.
A lot of Hanukkah’s traditional foods are oil-heavy. That’s because much of the holiday’s focus is on the miracle of lamp oil that should have only been enough for one day lasting eight. During the eight days of Hanukkah, many delicious fried foods are eaten. When you’re trying to manage your weight, it’s essential to watch your portion sizes. It’s also important to enjoy the holidays and foods in moderation. As long as you don’t overeat, take time to enjoy your food and balance it with healthy choices, you should eat what you like. The problem is that, in addition to being fried, many are very high in carbs that can upset your blood sugar.
Traditional latkes are made of potatoes. They are tasty and an integral part of Hanukkah celebrations. But they can also wreak havoc on your blood sugar. With that in mind, we’re sharing four latke recipes that don’t have potatoes but are scrumptious! You’ll enjoy a Hanukkah favorite without the high carb count. One thing to note is that only the first recipe is dairy-free, so if you keep kosher, you can’t serve the others with meat.
This is the only spicy latke on our list. If you want something really different, this is it! They’re low-carb and delicious with a bit of a kick. But, if you aren’t a fan of spice, you could season them with just salt and pepper, and they will still be a hit at dinner time! These are so low in carbs you won’t have to think about your blood sugar while enjoying your holiday meal. A serving has 40 calories, 2.1 grams of carbs and 0.5 grams of fiber. Get the recipe.
Not everyone is a fan of cooked cabbage. But we think everyone will love these! Even the pickiest eaters will love these tasty latkes made of cabbage and carrots. A lot of chopping goes into this recipe, but we think it’s well worth it. And, if you were making traditional latkes, you would be grating potatoes for ages! This recipe uses sour cream as a binder. That makes it juicy and delicious but unsuitable for mixing with meat in a kosher household. A serving has 60 calories, 3.4 grams of carbs and 0.5 grams of fiber. Get the recipe.
Cauliflower is a vegetable that stands in well for potatoes as it has so little flavor of its own. This recipe has the bonus of being easier than regular latkes. You usually have to grate potatoes and then squeeze the water from them. This calls for a bag of riced cauliflower, which can be found at any grocery store! A serving has 80 calories, four grams of carbs and one gram of fiber. Get the recipe.
Using grated zucchini, these fritters have a texture that’s very close to a normal latke. But, the use of zucchini instead of potato and almond flour as a binder keeps the carb count low. Making them is like normal latkes: you grate the vegetable and wring out as much liquid as possible. That helps them fry up crisp and not spit in the oil! A serving has 238 calories, four grams of carbs and two grams of fiber. Get the recipe.
These recipes will let you celebrate Hanukkah and enjoy the season without upsetting your blood sugar. It’s important to enjoy the food you love while keeping your health goals in mind!
