The holiday season has officially kicked off, and after spending last weekend indulging in turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings, celebrations for Hanukkah are about to begin with even more delicious (and fried!) feasting. While traditional potato latkes are the go-to dish of the holiday, it’s nice to get creative with other veggie versions or even some lighter, healthier options to round out the dinner table. Enter these quick and tasty veggie tots! A great way to use up any leftover veggies you have on hand (hello, Thanksgiving leftovers) or to just pack some nutritious sides into your Hanukkah gathering, these little bites of goodness are just like the tater tots we loved as kids but dressed up a bit with more “adult” veggies and some parmesan and panko breadcrumbs for good measure. Yum!
Ingredients:
— 2 cups cooked vegetables (we used steamed broccoli and roasted cauliflower)
— ¼ cup chopped onion
— ½ cup panko (or traditional bread crumbs)
— ½ cup grated parmesan
— 1 large egg
— salt and pepper, to taste
Or
— 2 cups leftover veggie mash or sweet potato casserole
— ½ cup panko (or traditional bread crumbs)
— cinnamon and cayenne (or other seasonings), to taste
Instructions:
For both options, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Option 1
1. If you’re working with cooked whole vegetables, add them to a food processor fit with an S blade along with the onion, panko, parmesan, egg and salt and pepper. Pulse a few times until the vegetables and onion are in small crumbly pieces and everything is combined.
2. Scoop out a heaping spoonful of the mixture into your hand and gently squeeze and press the mixture into a tater tot-like shape. Make sure your hands are clean and dry while doing this — you may find you need to rinse your hands after every couple spoonfuls to keep the mixture from sticking. Transfer to the lined sheet pan and continue this process until all of the mix is used up.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking on them after about 7-10 minutes to flip them so they can brown on each side. Once they are golden and firm to the touch, they are ready to take out of the oven and serve.
Combine your ingredients in the food processor and pulse until everything is broken down into small crumbly pieces and well mixed. There should be some texture to the mix — you don’t want to process it into a paste.
Take a heaping spoonful of the veggie mix and squeeze and mold it in the palm of your hand until it’s shaped just like a traditional tater tot.
Place the tots on a lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until nicely browned.
Option 2
1. Add seasonings to panko and mix to combine. Set aside for later use.
2. If you’re working with veggie mash or sweet potato casserole, you can go right ahead to scoop and shape the mixture. Take a heaping spoonful and gently squeeze and press the mixture into a tater tot-like shape. Make sure your hands are clean and dry while doing this.
3. Roll the shaped tot in the panko, making sure it is well covered, then transfer to the lined sheet pan. Continue steps two and three until all of the mash is used up.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking on them after about 7-10 minutes to flip them so they can brown on the other side. It’s a good idea to check on them every five minutes or so at this point and keep rotating them so that they brown on all sides. Once they are golden and firm to the touch, they are ready to take out of the oven and serve.
Season the panko crumbs with complementary spices like cinnamon and cayenne, or experiment with other options like thyme and sage or ginger and allspice. Set aside the mix for later.
Scoop the mashed potato into your hand and gently press and mold into a tot-like shape.
Roll the shaped tot in the seasoned panko mix to add a bit of crunch.
Place the tots on a lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until nicely browned, rotating them on the pan after about 7-10 minutes so they brown on all sides.
Perfect as a side or even a snack, these are a super delicious way to get your veggies in at the holiday table this season!
They’re also great for dipping — try them with a quick spicy mayo (mayo + siracha = yum).
What are your fave treats for Hanukkah? Tag us a pic of your Hanukkah spread using hashtag #iamcreative on Instagram!
Sammi Smith
Sammi is a freelance fashion designer, food stylist and writer based in Toronto. An avid crafter, cook and general food obsessive, she's most in her happy place spending time in the kitchen making delicious messes.
