Now that I am eating lunch (finally) I can explain.  Latke is simply a Potatoe Pancake.  I suppose it is considered "Jewish" food, but probably originates in Romania, Poland or Russia (like a lot of foods considered Jewish cuisine, the origins are Eastern European). 

They are great, though high-caloric food anytime, but eaten traditionally during Chanukah (the festival of Lights), around the same time as Christmas. 

Potatoes are ground up, mixed with flour meal and egg to a pancake like consistency.  Some folks add little bits of onion for flavoring. Then (and this is best in a deep fryer, or hot skillet), the mix is spooned out in small pancake size.  When evenly browned on each side...they are ready!  Unfortunately, by that time..the kitchen is a dreadful mess with oil, flour, and potatoe shavings (which is why I love 'em..but hate 'em).   They can be eaten as a side-dish, or an entire meal.   Taste is immeasurably enhanced with dipping them in sour cream and apple sauce (you can use either, but I really love the taste best with a little of both on mine).   You can buy the whole thing in a "mix" from Streits' or Manischewitz, or start from scratch if you are adventurous.  Maybe I'll stir us up a batch some time!

Then there's Knishes, Smoked Meat, Brisket and Kasha, Verenickes, Borscht, Schmaltz, Herring in Wine sauce, Halishkes, Kugle, Challah, Montreal Bagels, Karnatzel, Gefilte Fish, Moon (mun) cookies with Tea, Chopped Liver, and other artery cloggers we Jews seem to be so fond of.   All of the above dishes are of European origin though, and the names are derived from  Russian, German, Hungarian, Polish etc..

Oh..I nearly forgot Halvah (yummmy...), and that is Middle Eastern.

 The vodka and schnapps are fine any time of the year.

Gene