# Question for Jewish Dopers: Is this taking the keto craze a bit too far? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 19, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151 "2020-02-19T04:58:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/1 "2020-02-19T04:58:05Z")
“This”, in case you are wondering, is latkes (potato pancakes) made with cauliflower. 😕 Has anyone else heard of this? I saw a recipe online, and I’m pretty sure I saw an ad for frozen latkes, sold at the local overpriced natural grocer. I’m not Jewish, but I do know that Passover will be coming up soon, and was curious as to whether anyone else had seen these. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/2 "2020-02-19T05:34:49Z")
I’m not Jewish, but I am tickled by the fact that a [completely manmade vegetable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassica_oleracea) is considered “paleo.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/3 "2020-02-19T06:02:58Z")
Sure, I’ve had them. My wife makes them every now and then. She also makes leek latkes (a traditional Balkan Jewish recipe) and sweet potato latkes, which are delicious but a real pain in the butt to make. I’ve also heard of - but never eaten - pumpkin latkes and zucchini latkes. Latkes contain multitudes. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/4 "2020-02-19T07:36:34Z")
I’m not personally a fan of cauliflower, but it’s being used as a substitute for a number of carbs, including rice. I don’t see how it’s “too far”. The Hanukkah tradition of latkes is about the oil, not about the potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/5 "2020-02-19T07:39:02Z")
Might be for diabetics or pre-diabetics. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/6 "2020-02-19T08:47:03Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > The Hanukkah tradition of latkes is about the oil, not about the potatoes. However, [sweet potato latkes](https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/1.5222572)are fried in butter. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/7 "2020-02-19T08:59:47Z")
Although potatoes have become traditional for latkes, a bit of thought and recollection that in terms of Jewish history potatoes are a relatively new thing, only available for a few centuries, would lead one to conclude that potato is not a requirement for them. As noted, with Hannukah and latkas it’s about the oil, not the potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/8 "2020-02-19T09:29:51Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I’m not Jewish, but I am tickled by the fact that a [completely manmade vegetable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassica_oleracea) is considered “paleo.” Good grief, humans made this stuff ON PURPOSE? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/9 "2020-02-19T09:36:48Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > Might be for diabetics or pre-diabetics. And cauliflower is one of the most kidney-friendly foods, along with cabbage. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/10 "2020-02-19T10:06:39Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > However, [sweet potato latkes](https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/1.5222572)are fried in butter. Decidedly contra-indicated when served with brisket! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/11 "2020-02-19T10:48:51Z")
You know, there’s other types of Jewish food beyond the Polish crap Americans eat. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/12 "2020-02-19T12:12:16Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > Good grief, humans made this stuff ON PURPOSE? There’s no end to the horrors our species has wrought. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/13 "2020-02-19T12:22:47Z")
What’s wrong with cauliflower? Baked cauliflower in béchamel sauce, spicy stir-fried cauliflower… it’s a perfectly cromulant vegetable. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/14 "2020-02-19T12:23:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > You know, there’s other types of Jewish food beyond the Polish crap Americans eat. Not to mention that most foods can be made in a kosher manner. Our local Jewish Federation for awhile employed a kosher chef that specialized in kosher Mexican food, as an example. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/15 "2020-02-19T12:36:25Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Not to mention that most foods can be made in a kosher manner. > > Our local Jewish Federation for awhile employed a kosher chef that specialized in kosher Mexican food, as an example. According to rest.co.il (a leading Israeli restaurant site), there are 36 kosher Mexican restaurants in Israel - and Mexican food isn’t that popular here. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/16 "2020-02-19T12:50:37Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > “This”, in case you are wondering, is latkes (potato pancakes) made with cauliflower. 😕 Has anyone else heard of this? I saw a recipe online, and I’m pretty sure I saw an ad for frozen latkes, sold at the local overpriced natural grocer. > > I’m not Jewish, but I do know that Passover will be coming up soon, and was curious as to whether anyone else had seen these. Why do you think this is just a “craze” issue? I’ve been advised by my physician to strictly restrict carbohydrates. It’s amazing to me that I can go somewhere and get a cauliflower crust pizza or riced cauliflower as a side dish. Bread is freaking everywhere. It’s very hard to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/17 "2020-02-19T13:36:26Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Not to mention that most foods can be made in a kosher manner. > > Our local Jewish Federation for awhile employed a kosher chef that specialized in kosher Mexican food, as an example. That is interesting, there is a lot of cheese in Mexican cuisine. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/18 "2020-02-19T13:54:55Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > That is interesting, there is a lot of cheese in Mexican cuisine. This was my first thought as well. I have no idea if its kosher but could chicken be served with cheese? Its not milk from the same species. Say like chicken fajitas with sour cream and cheese? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/19 "2020-02-19T14:01:30Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > This was my first thought as well. I have no idea if its kosher but could chicken be served with cheese? Its not milk from the same species. Say like chicken fajitas with sour cream and cheese? I am told that chicken with dairy is legitimate. Apparently some Rabbis thought that some people would believe that if chicken were ok, so was beef. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151/20 "2020-02-19T14:05:01Z")
I don’t know of any school of Jewish thought that considers poultry with dairy kosher. That said, you can have Mexican food without cheese (or without meat). You just change the recipes a bit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jewish-dopers-is-this-taking-the-keto-craze-a-bit-too-far/848151.md?page=2)