Why are latkes eaten at Hanukkah?

Latkes (potato pancakes) are usually cooked by frying them in oil. The oil commemorates the oil that burned in the 7-branched menorah in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem for eight days despite there only being enough for one day, allowing the Maccabees enough time to prepare more oil. (The Maccabees were in the process of reinstating Jewish rule in Judea after they defeated the Seleucid Empire). Other foods cooked in oil are also traditionally eaten at Hanukkah, such as sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).