Potato Pancakes Go Purple

How do you celebrate Oktoberfest, a pile of purple spuds, and an amazing 7-0 TCU Horned Frogs football season?

You make potato pancakes, and you make them purple.

We held a tame (lame?) Oktoberfest celebration in our living room last night: no meat, one can of beer, and a Coen Brothers flick. I mashed up a pile of purple spuds from our CSA to make a dense & hearty pancake, a slight departure from the traditional grated, crispy variety. Below are some photos of the cakes and all the accoutrement–caramelized onions, strained yogurt and applesauce–along with a super easy recipe.

Oh, and Go Frogs!

Purple Potato Pancakes with caramelized onions, strained yogurt and applesauce

Purple Potato Pancakes with Caramelized Onions

• 7-8 medium purple potatoes
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• generous pinches of salt & pepper
• Spray oil (Pam)
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1/2 cup strained or Greek yogurt, or low-fat sour cream

1. Put the potatoes in a pot and just cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender 15-20 minutes. Strain and let cool.

2. In a small pot, heat the olive oil and add the onion. Cook over medium-high until some browning occurs. Turn down heat to low and continue cooking at least 20 minutes.
3. Peel the potatoes with a paring knife (skins should come off easily), and run through a ricer or mash with masher. Add butter and mix with fork. Add milk and egg and mix. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
4. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out potato balls (about 15) onto a plate. Heat a nonstick griddle to medium and spray with oil. Cook four at a time, flattening the potato ball with the back of a spatula (spray spatula with oil to prevent sticking). Cook about 3 minutes each side, or until golden brown.
5. Serve with the applesauce, yogurt, and caramelized onions. Enjoy!

Mashed potato balls, cafeteria style (pre-smooshing)

The super-sweet caramelized onions

My simple yogurt-straining contraption (paper towel and a take-out container)