- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, scrubbed and shredded
- 1 medium white onion, shredded
- 2 medium shallots, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 whole-wheat matzo (6-by-6-inch), broken into pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 3 tablespoons peanut oil or extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Toss shredded potato, onion, shallots and salt in a medium bowl. Transfer to a sieve set over a large bowl; let drain for about 15 minutes. Squeeze the potato mixture, a handful at a time, over the bowl to release excess moisture (don't oversqueeze–some moisture should remain). Transfer the squeezed potato to another large bowl. Carefully pour off the liquid, leaving a pasty white sediment–potato starch–in the bottom of the bowl. Add the starch to the potato mixture. Stir in egg.
- Put matzo pieces in a sealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin into coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs and pepper over the potato mixture and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate until the matzo is softened, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir the potato mixture. Cook 4 latkes per batch: place 1/4 cup potato mixture in a little of the oil and press with the back of the spatula to flatten into a 3 1/2-inch cake. Cook until crispy and golden, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the latkes to the prepared baking sheet. Continue with 2 more batches, using 1 tablespoon oil per batch and reducing the heat as needed to prevent scorching. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes.