Tuesday Taste Test: Humane Latkes (The Cluck Stops Here)

By now we've all read Steve Almond's A Very Osama Hanukkah, and some of us have even worked our way through Christopher Hitchens' scathing testimony on what he terms "tribal Jewish backwardness," wittily entitled Bah, Hanukkah, over at Slate. It would seem that this Hanukkah season is about raising consciousness, confronting the past, and being accountable for our actions and traditions. What fun! While we're at it, I thought we might as well confront some current "backwardness," for example, the backwardness of how we treat the animals we raise for food with heartless violence and torture. (Oh, cut me some slack, I'm just getting into the holiday spirit). First up is the evils of the Egg Industry, and Exhibit A is the battery cage! Give that a read, and if it upsets your stomach, fear not: I have an infallible, mouth-watering, egg-free latke recipe for you. Happy Hanukkah, you backward fundamentalist.

Humane Latkes 4 Russet Potatoes 6 Teaspoons Ener-G Egg Replacer, packed flat 8 Tablespoons of warm water 2 Small Yellow Onions Salt and Pepper to taste Oil such as Grapeseed, Rice Bran, or Canola for frying
Using a food processor (or old-fashioned grater, if you're a backward fundamentalist), shred the potatoes and onions so that they feel the pain of centuries of backwardness. In a small mixing bowl, combine 6 Teaspoons of Ener-G Egg Replacer with 8 Tablespoons of warm water. Mix thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded potatoes and onions with the Egg Replacer. Add salt and pepper and mix well. In a large frying or griddle pan, heat your oil. Use a small serving spoon to scoop the mixture into the pan. Flatten, and fry until golden and crispy on both sides. Serve after your self-flagellation parade, with apple sauce and non-dairy sour cream.