Deruny

Crispy grated potato pancakes, pan-fried until golden and typically served with sour cream.

Deruny are a longstanding staple of Ukrainian home cooking, born from the same reliance on potatoes seen across much of Eastern Europe. They are especially popular in western Ukraine and are eaten as a simple everyday dish, often for breakfast or a light supper, sometimes filled or topped with mushrooms, meat, or cottage cheese depending on the region and occasion. Their name comes from the Ukrainian verb derty, meaning to grate or grind, describing the preparation method directly.

The potato must be excess-liquid squeezed out thoroughly before mixing with the batter, or the pancakes will be soggy rather than crisp. They are traditionally fried in a generous amount of oil until deeply golden and lacy at the edges.