Keftes, also known as KeftikesinSephardic cuisine, are croquettes, pancakes, patties, or fritters, usually made with vegetables, and other ingredients. Sephardic keftes are not the same as the non-Jewish kofta which are meatballs. Keftes might not contain meat, as opposed to the kofta which do contain meat.
Some keftes are eaten on holidays due to the ingredients or method of cooking which may be associated with that holiday. Especially common are the fritas de prasa or leek fritters, traditionally served on Rosh HaShana, Hannukah and Passover.
Keftes de prasa are popular all year round at holidays[4]
Keftikes de prassa orkeftes de prasa i karne are also known as yehi rasonesoryehi ratsones (Hebrew: "May it be Your Will"). The leeks in this dish are a symbolic food on Rosh Hashana because of the puns of the name of the food in Hebrew or Aramaic. Leeks or foods made with leeks are eaten during a special seder on Rosh Hashana as a demonstration of a particular wish to be God's will.
The symbolism of the leeks is the pun of its name in Hebrew, karti, which is similar to yikartu, meaning to be cut off.[5] The yehi rasonofkarti is a wish that the enemies of Jews will be "cut off".
Keftes de prasa especially, or any kefte for that matter, are eaten at Hanukkah because they are fried. Keftes de prasa, which are made without meat, are pancake-like and are particularly suited to being oily as are most Hanukkah foods.