Hot out of the pan, there’s few holiday traditions that are as sought after in Saanich as the potato latkes at the Jewish Community Centre.
Cooking latkes is a daily occurrence until Dec. 23 (the latkes are cooked ahead of Hannukah) by a team of volunteers.
Rose Carr leads the annual latke making, a three-week effort in the back room of the centre at 3636 Shelbourne St. Carr organizes volunteers into work parties who prepare the potatoes, mix in the traditional recipe’s not-so-secret ingredients, and pan fry them. There are six electric fry pans, all plugged into a heavy-duty electrical outlet the centre had specifically installed for the annual cookout.
She’s been doing it for 26 years.
“There are some who order five or six dozen at a time, the latkes are very much in demand,” Carr said. “They’re comfort food.”
People ask Carr about the latkes all year round, even if they run into her in the summer.
Visitors can eat the latkes at the centre’s Lox, Stock and Bagel deli or get them for take out. The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., from Tuesday to Friday every week.
Latkes are $10 for three, and are available by the dozen by preordering over the phone at 250-477-7185.