I’ve never been a big fan of potato latkes. Zucchini latkes, yes. Potato latkes, no. I was originally planning to come up with one alternative recipe to share on this blog, but after scouring the web for ideas, I found so many fantastic concoctions that I had to share them instead!

Here’s an A–Z latke list that will have you trying a new recipe every night of Hanukkah. I found delicious-looking, creative recipes featuring a key ingredient that starts with every letter of the alphabet—with the exceptions of U, V, W and X. I broke the rules a little for those.

If you have a favorite twist on the classic that I didn’t include, please share it in the comments.

Apple Latkes © Smitten Kitchen

A is for Apple

Apple Latkes
A sweet treat for breakfast or dessert. Also try: Cinnamon Sweet Potato and Apple Latkes or Potato, Artichoke and Feta Cheese Latkes

B is for Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts Latkes
This recipe was created for Thanksgivukkah in 2013. Also try: Butternut Squash Latkes

Brussels Sprouts Latkes © What Jew Wanna Eat

C is for Cauliflower

Cauliflower-Curry Latkes
Also try: Spicy Cauliflower Latkes with Za’atar Aioli, Curry Vegetable Latkes and, the guilty pleasure of the bunch, Grilled Cheese Latkes

D is for Duck Fat

Duck Fat-Fried Latkes with Quince Conserva
Because everything is better fried in duck fat, right?

Latkes Eggs Benedict © What Jew Wanna Eat

E is for Egg

Potato Latkes Eggs Benedict
Brunch in a latke—lox included! Also try: Eggplant Latkes

F is for Fennel

Fennel-Lemon Latkes with Toasted Caraway Sour Cream
A sophisticated spin on the crispy classic.

Hatch Latkes © Little Ferraro Kitchen

G is for Garlic

Roasted Garlic and Herb Latkes
For me, any recipe with the word “garlic” in the name is a step above the rest.

H is for Hatch Chile

Hatch Chile Latkes with Hatch Guacamole
A somewhat more obscure ingredient that’s a spicy New Mexico treat!

Indian Spiced Potato Pancake with Mint & Yogurt Chutney © Food52

I is for Indian Spices

Indian Spiced Potato Pancake with Mint & Yogurt Chutney
Just look at the picture—it’s so fluffy! This is a must-try flavorful addition to your latke repertoire.

J is for Jalepeño

Cilantro-Jalapeño Latkes
Latkes with a serious kick!

K is for Kale

Kale Latkes
You knew it was coming, right?

L is for Leek

Leek Latkes
Also try: Butternut Squash and Leek Latke Benedict

M is for Mushroom

Celery Root and Mushroom Latkes with Onion Applesauce
Also try: Porcini Mushroom Latkes with Mushroom Salad and Chive “Cream” and Mashed Potato Latkes with Zucchini and Dill

Turkish Carrot, Apricot, and Pine Nut Latkes (Havuc Koftesi) © Mezze & Dolce

N is for Nut

Pine nut, that is…
Turkish Carrot, Apricot, and Pine Nut Latkes (Havuc Koftesi)
Also try: Zucchini Latkes With Parmesan, Pine Nuts and Basil and Nacho Latkes. I take back my “guilty pleasure” comment about grilled cheese latkes. This one takes the cake.

O is for Olive

Olive Latkes
I like olives, but I’m not sure how I feel about this one. If anyone tries it, please let me know how it turns out.

P is for Potato

Classic Potato Latkes
I felt obligated to feature the classic. But there are so many great options! Also try: Persimmon Latkes, Parsnip Latkes with Mustard Cashew Cream and Honey Roasted Apples and Parmesan Potato Pancakes

Q is for Quinoa

Quinoa Vegetable Latkes
Add a healthy dose of fiber and protein to your latkes!

R is for Root Vegetable

Root Vegetable Latkes
The ingredient is more generic than I would like, but they look delicious.

Smoked Salmon Latkes © Rachel Phipps

S is for Smoked Salmon

Smoked Salmon Latkes served with a Lemon and Caper Sour Cream
Also try: Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon, Caviar, and Tarragon Crème Fraîche, Sweet Potato Latkes with Brie and Baby Arugula and Spinach, Feta and Potato Latkes (Spanolatkes)

T is for Turnip

Potato-Turnip Latkes Fried in Duck Fat
You know, I’m not sure I’ve ever had a turnip. But I’m sure this is a good recipe. It’s fried in duck fat, after all.

Ube Pancake © ang sarap

U is for Ube Yam

Ube Pancake
Purple pancakes! I couldn’t find a latke recipe using ube yams, but I did find recipes for another kind of potato pancake. For something a bit more traditional with a purple twist, try Purple Potato Latkes.

V is for Vodka

Though I had an impossible time finding a V food to incorporate into latkes (other than the too-generic “vegetables”), the Vodka Latke Party came to my attention. Time for some party-planning ideas from Kveller, Williams-Sonoma and sheknows.

Latke Waffles © Smitten Kitchen

W is for Waffle

Latke Waffles
Another tough one. Instead of putting a certain ingredient in a latke, put the latke in a waffle!

X is for Xero

(According to Urban Dictionary). Nothing. Nada.

Y is for Yam

Spicy and Sweet Yam Latkes
Another recipe infused with delicious Indian spices.

Z is for Zucchini

Zucchini Latkes
Becoming almost as commonplace as the potato latke, zucchini latkes have my vote.

If you grew up in a Jewish household, you probably decorated or even built a sukkah at some point. Whether in your backyard, at Hebrew school or at a local JCC, this is the holiday that helped you fulfill the ultimate childhood fantasy: building the best fort of all time.

As adults, the harvest festival of Sukkot is a joyful occasion to spend time with friends and family with an al fresco dinner party. Here are some ideas for your Sukkot festivities:

Start with a cohesive theme for your sukkah like a Moroccan motif. Imagine rich, jewel-tone colors, floor cushions and hanging lanterns. Some crafty ideas from Creative Jewish Mom include great DIY projects like soda bottle flowers, and Home Design Lover’s 15 Outstanding Moroccan Living Room Designs offers a collection or gorgeous, eclectic design.

Another approach is to go rustic with earthy textures, neutral hues and shabby chic elements. The Mason jar can be your best friend—it is your drinking vessel, flatware and napkin all in one tidy package; your centerpiece, filled with wheat stalks or wildflowers; your bowl of cornbread-topped chili—the options are plentiful. Additions like apple candles and a burlap table runner are easy finishing touches.

What to serve? It is customary to eat stuffed food and Joy of Kosher came up with this mouth-watering list of 30 Stuffed Foods for Sukkot. Try Curried Vegetable Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini and Avocado Stuffed Salmon with Wild Rice. Top it all off with Tory Avey’s Dark Chocolate Fruit Candies with pomegranate, figs and dates.

To keep the kids busy and happy, give them their own party! Wholesome Mommy gives detailed instructions on how to set up an outdoor movie theater. Order a pizza, pop in a movie and keep them entertained for hours. For those trying to avoid too much screen time, set up a sukkah just for the kids (a pop up tent will do just fine) with craft supplies and see what amazing decorations they create. A couple of simple projects include paper cutout “snowflakes” and of course the classic paper chain. And while you’re enjoying a decadent dessert, let them eat S’mores! No fire pit? No problem. A terra cotta planter, aluminum foil and charcoal will do the trick.

So flex your creative, Martha Stewart-worthy muscles and be sure to check out our Pinterest board for more inspiration, DIY décor and tasty treats.

On a recent trip to Victoria, British Columbia, I indulged in the most decadent grilled cheese sandwich I have ever had at the Bard & Banker Public House. It was oozing with cheeses, dipped in lemon-apple compote, and drizzled with sherry maple syrup. I’ve been looking for an excuse to make something similar ever since.

In the spirit of Rosh Hashanah, I’ve modified it to highlight the apples and swapped out the syrup with a honey balsamic drizzle. Enjoy this with friends and family for a sweet lunch after your morning service.

Guidelines below are for two sandwiches, so multiply as you wish!

Ingredients
• 4 tbsp. honey*
• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 4 slices fresh sourdough bread
• Several slices of brie per sandwich (remove rind)
• 1 tbsp. goat cheese, at room temperature
• Several slices of white cheddar per sandwich
• Thinly sliced apples, enough to generously fill each sandwich. I chose tart, crisp Granny Smith apples, but feel free to embrace the sweeter side.

Directions for the Drizzle:
Combine honey and balsamic vinegar. Blend well. That’s it!

Directions for the Sandwich:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.
2. Spread a layer of goat cheese on the bottom slices of bread. Top with brie, cheddar and a generous portion of apples (put the apples between layers of cheese to “glue” your sandwiches together).
3. Drizzle the inside of your sandwiches with a bit of your honey/balsamic glaze.
4. Press the sandwich slightly and place it in the skillet. Cook until golden on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Flip, adding more butter to the pan if needed, and cook until the other side is golden and the cheese melts, 3 to 5 more minutes.
6. Drizzle the top of your sandwich with even more honey/balsamic. If you have any left, keep it in a bowl for a deliciously messy dipping sauce.

Serve with an arugula salad, or with chilled gazpacho for a twist on the classic grilled cheese and tomato soup combo.

Enjoy!

*If you’re feeling especially creative, try herb infused honey. This makes a great new year’s gift as well.

1. Give yourself a day. If possible, leave yourself a day after you get back to go grocery shopping, do laundry, recover from jet lag… and mope. You’re allowed to feel sorry for yourself. If you enjoy cooking, use the groceries you just bought to make yourself something that allows you to pretend you’re still on vacation—you know, mojitos, margaritas or Mai Tais.

2. Reminisce. Use this time to look through your pictures and reminisce and, if you’re the type, post them on Facebook so your friends can get nice and jealous. It may make you feel a little better.

3. Get fake tanning lotion/wipes. You should have been using sunscreen on your trip, (unlike those trips you took when you were younger), so you may not have come back with a gorgeous golden glow. Thank goodness there’s a solution for that. Slather it on and get ready to bask in the compliments from co-workers.

4. Take it one email at a time. On your first day back to work, accept that there is no way you will be able to catch up immediately. Take your time sorting through your 1,000+ emails and remind yourself that you can only do so many things at once.

5. Start looking ahead. Start to plan your next big vacation, even if it won’t be for a long, long time. The planning will give you something exciting to look forward to. Here we come, Ireland! Only 327 days to go!