Potato Pancakes

Funny, I was just talking about these with friends the other day. I haven't had them in years. I stopped by a friend's house waaaay back, and he happened to be making them. - He couldn't make them as fast as I was eating them! :lol:

I think I'll try some blanched, and some not.
Searching, "How to blanch", leaves me confused. What's a good way?

I have an old hand meat grinder. Should I blanch before or after grinding (grating)?