Entree: Poland – Podlasie – Placki ziemniaczane (crispy grated potato pancakes pan-fried until golden, traditionally served with sour cream or applesauce)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 20 min

Cook 30 min

Additional 5 min

Total 55 min

Ingredients

- 2 lb (900 g) russet potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated
- 1 medium onion, about 6 oz (170 g), grated
- 1 large egg, approx. 1.8 oz (50 g)
- 3 tbsp (24 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp (8 g) potato starch or extra flour
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil or rendered pork fat (lard) for frying, plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream for serving
- 1/2 cup (120 g) applesauce for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the potatoes and onion: grate potatoes and onion into a large bowl. After grating, place the potato and onion mixture in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible into a bowl; let the starch settle for a few minutes, then pour off the watery part and reserve the starchy sediment.
2. Combine batter: return the squeezed grated potato and onion to the bowl, add the reserved starch, then mix in the egg, flour, potato starch, salt, and pepper until a cohesive batter forms. If batter is very wet, add another tablespoon of flour.
3. Heat the pan: warm a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil or lard to coat the bottom (about 2–3 tbsp / 30–45 ml at a time).
4. Fry pancakes: drop heaping tablespoons (or 1/4 cup / 60 ml for larger pancakes) of batter into the hot oil, flattening gently with a spatula to about 1/4–1/3 inch (6–8 mm) thickness. Fry until deeply golden and crisp on the bottom, about 3–4 minutes, then flip and cook the other side 3–4 minutes more.
5. Drain and keep warm: transfer cooked pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and keep warm in a low oven while you finish remaining batter, adding more oil as needed between batches.
6. Serve: stack pancakes and serve immediately with sour cream and applesauce or your preferred accompaniment.