Gato Patat has got to be one of the most underrated Mauritian Gato Delwil (deep fried cakes). Read on to discover how you can easily make your own at home.
INGREDIENTS
5
RECIPE STEPS
9
TOTAL TIME
1 h 45 m
Why You Need This Recipe
- This recipe allows you to easily make authentic Mauritian Gato Patat in your own home for Divali
- You can make this recipe with only 6 ingredients
- This is a delicious snack to have on hand when receiving guests
About Gato Patat
Gato Patat is a traditional, deep fried Mauritian dessert. The dough for the cake is simply made from sweet potato and flour, whilst the filling is made from grated coconut that is sweetened with sugar.
The cakes are usually half-moon shaped and are golden brown in colour. They are often served as a dessert or as a snack and are very popular during Divali. They are known for their sweet and moist texture, and the combination of the fried dough with the sweet coconut filling makes for a tasty treat.
What You Will Need
Potato Masher
This recipe for Gato Patat is really so simple that you won’t need any fancy equipment for it. However, a potato masher could save you a lot of time when mashing the sweet potato.
Star Ingredient
Sweet Potato (Patat)
Sweet potato is a root vegetable that is native to Central and South America. It is a member of the morning glory family and is related to the common potato. Sweet potatoes come in a variety of colours, including white, yellow, orange, and purple, and are known for their sweet, starchy flesh. Moreover, they are a staple food in many countries and are often used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury.
As a matter of fact, sweet potatoes are packed with nutrition and are a good source of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin A, vitamin C, and Potassium. Also, they are high in dietary fibre and are considered a low-glycaemic food, making them a good choice for people with diabetes.
They can be eaten boiled, mashed, fried, or roasted and are often used in dishes such as sweet potato pie, sweet potato fries, and sweet potato casseroles. Furthermore, you can use patat as a flour alternative in baking, as well as being a great ingredient in soups, stews, and curries.
Scroll to the bottom to find the full list of ingredients and detailed recipe.
Prepping Tips
- Cut the sweet potato into even-sized chunks to help reduce the cooking time
- To save time, you can make the Gato Patat ahead of your event and freeze them uncooked. Line a tray with Gato Patat and freeze until they are solid, then move into a zip-lock bag and keep for up to 3 months
- To prepare frozen Gato Patat, you can deep fry them straight from the freezer. Just make sure you fry them long enough for the skin to cook through
Complete Recipe Steps
Here’s a summary of the steps you need to follow to make Gato Patat.
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and then add the sweet potatoes to the water.
2
Reduce the heat to medium-high to keep a slow boil throughout the duration of cooking. Boil the potatoes for approximately 30 minutes or until a butter knife can slice through easily.
Scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card
3
Once cooked, the sweet potato should be easily mashed. Allow the sweet potato to cool enough to peel and then mash until smooth. Set aside.
4
5
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7
8
9
Allow to cool on a paper towel to drain the excess oil. Then enjoy!
How to Serve Gato Patat
Undoubtedly, this Mauritian Gato Delwil is the ultimate versatile treat. You can serve it as dessert after a meal throughout the year. Or pair it with afternoon tea when you have guests. Be sure to prepare a pot of steaming black tea to go alongside.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make the Gato Patate in advance of a special event?
Yes, to help with your preparations, you can make your Gato Patat ahead of time. Freeze the Gato Patat once you have formed your little packets. Anytime you would like the Gato Patat, you can deep-fry them straight from the freezer.
When should I serve Gato Patat?
This Mauritian treat will make an excellent dessert as well as an afternoon tea snack.
Printable Recipe Card
Gato Patat
Equipment
- Potato masher
Ingredients
- 1 kg sweet potato washed and pierced with a fork
- 250 g grated coconut
- 250 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp plain flour
- rice bran oil for deep frying
Complete Recipe Steps
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and then add the sweet potatoes to the water.1 kg sweet potato
- Reduce the heat to medium-high to keep a slow boil throughout the duration of cooking. Boil the potatoes for approximately 30 minutes or until a butter knife can slice through easily.
- Once cooked, the sweet potato should be easily mashed. Allow the sweet potato to cool enough to peel and then mash until smooth. Set aside.
- Mix the coconut, sugar and vanilla extract together in a bowl, then cover and allow to rest.250 g grated coconut, 250 g caster sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Sprinkle the flour over the sweet potatoes and knead to a smooth dough. If the dough is too wet or is not binding, add an additional ½ tbsp of flour at a time if needed.4 tbsp plain flour
- Roll the dough into a long tube and cut into 30 equal pieces. Roll the pieces of dough into a ball and then flatten into a disc that is approximately ½ cm thick by 6 cm in diameter.
- Place a teaspoon of coconut filling in the centre of each piece of dough, then fold into a semi-circle and crimp seal the edge with the back of a fork.
- Deep fry each Gato Patat over a medium heat until light brown.rice bran oil
- Allow to cool on a paper towel to drain the excess oil. Then enjoy!
Notes
- Gato Patat can be kept for a few days if placed in an airtight container.
- To help with your preparations, you can make your Gato Patat ahead of time. Freeze the Gato Patat once you have formed your little packets. Anytime you would like the Gato Patat, you can deep fry them straight from the freezer.
