It's beginning to look a lot like latke season! And if there's one thing I know inside and out, it's latkes. My Jewish father married a Christmas-loving Christian, so growing up my sisters and I celebrated both holidays. Although really, more and more Hanukkah started to be much less about religion and tradition and much more about lighting candles and eating latke after latke after latke.

While obviously not the most observant Jew (or, technically, a Jew at all), I know my latkes. I like them just the way my grandmother made them: pretty darn crispy on the outside but soft in the middle. Pretty salty, served with a little sour cream and applesauce.

The older I get, the more curious I am to experiment with latke recipes in my own kitchen. I don't cook with white potatoes often, so last year I had great success with sweet potato latkes and this year I thought I'd branch out even further. From parsnip to carrot to apples, here are some inspiring recipes for the moment when you're ready to break out of your white-potato-latke-bubble. I'll join you.

Try a Recipe:
• Baked Sweet Potato Latkes with Sour Cream - Turntable Kitchen
• Parsnip and Carrot Latkes - Gluten-Free Bay
• Sweet Potato and Parsnip Latkes with Chunky Five-Spice Applesauce - Food Network
• Apple Latkes - Smitten Kitchen
• Zucchini Parmesan Latkes - Epicurious

Related: Hanukkah Recipe: Apple and Cheese Stuffed Latkes

(Images: Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen)