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Gâteau patate
Mauritian sweet potato turnovers with coconut and cardamom
Gâteau patate are little half-moon pastries made from mashed sweet potato dough and filled with sweetened grated coconut and cardamom, then fried until golden. They are a teatime treat in Mauritian homes and are sold at markets and fairs, especially around Divali and the end of the year. Chef's tip: use the sweet potatoes while still warm to make the dough; cold mash needs more flour and the gâteaux turn heavy.
- Total time
- 70 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the dough
For the filling
To fry
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Boil 1 ⅛ lb white or orange sweet potatoes for 12–15 minutes until soft. Drain very well and mash smoothly while hot.
15 minStep 2: Cook 5 ½ oz freshly grated or desiccated coconut, 2 ⅞ oz sugar, ½ tsp ground cardamom and 3 tbsp water in a pan over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring, until sticky and dry. Cool.
5 minStep 3: Mix 7 oz plain flour and 1 pinch salt into the warm mash and knead lightly into a soft dough that does not stick to your hands; add a little flour only if needed.
Step 4: On a floured surface, roll out to 4 mm thick and cut 8 cm circles. Put a teaspoon of filling on each, fold into half-moons and press the edges with a fork to seal.
Step 5: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil for frying to 350°F and fry in batches for 3–4 minutes, turning, until golden-brown. Common mistake: overfilling — the coconut leaks and burns in the oil. Drain on kitchen paper.
15 minStep 6: Eat warm or at room temperature with tea.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gâteau patate take?
- About 70 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of white or orange sweet potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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