Why do they use potatoes in latkas? I understand the history of it and what NOT to use, but why the potato?!
Answers: Please explain who and why the potato was chosen. Thanks.
The potato has long been a staple food of the poor in Europe, from Ireland all the way into Russia, ever since the Spanish brought the potato from Peru, where it was and remains one of the primary foodstuffs available.
You get a big yield from a small space without too terribly much work and fuss. And the potato is extremely nutritious, high in Vitamin C among other things.
The potato wasn't so much "chosen" as the "default." The other foodstuffs common to the poor of much of Europe are pickled cabbage - saurkraut - and beets. Neither of those would make very good latkes.
Well, what else would you use?
It was Kosher and cheap and easily available and could be harvested from the ground even in winter and is tasty.