V is for Vataane Pattice (Green Peas and Potato Patties)

Green peas are known as vataane in Marathi or as matar in Hindi. I love peas in all forms but this is one of my favourites. You bite into the potato casing and experience a burst of flavours – peas, cumin, coconut, ginger, coriander with a hint of mint…. bliss.

If you like mash and peas, I’m sure you’ll like these peas and potato cakes.

Serve them hot on a rainy day and chase away those blues.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 large potatoes, boiled, peeled and mashed
• 1 1/2 cups green peas
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped coriander
• 5-6 mint leaves, chopped fine
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1″piece of ginger, grated
• 1 green chilli, slit in half
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons of ghee
• a pinch of asafoetida (optional)
• 5-6 tablespoon of semolina (or breadcrumbs)
• 2 tablespoons of oil in a small bowl

Method:

1. Add the ghee to a pan. When it is hot add the cumin seeds and wait till they splutter. Now add the asafoetida, chilli and ginger. Once the oil is fragrant, add the peas and salt and cook them through.

2. When the peas are done, turn off the heat and add the coconut, coriander and mint. Keep aside and cool.

green peas with the works

3. Add some salt and paprika to the mashed potatoes and mix well. Divide the mash into equal portions and then roll each to a size a little larger than a golf ball.

mashed potato with a dash of paprika

4. Grease your palms with oil and flatten a ball to about 4 inches in diameter.

5. Place a heaped tablespoon of the peas mixture onto the centre. Seal the edges and shape into a patty.

filling the patties

6. Continue until all the patties are filled with the peas mix.

Patties filled with peas

7. Pre heat the oven to gas 6 (425 F) with a baking tray in it, for about 15 minutes.

8. Dredge the patties in the semolina and brown them on a hot greased skillet, about 6 minutes on each side. Keep aside.

9. When all the patties are golden brown and crisp on the outside, place them on the baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Ready to be served

Serve hot with a dip or a coriander chutney.

 

Notes:

These are great appetisers to make ahead for a party. You can make them upto the skillet stage and then bake them in the oven just before serving. The baking process makes the patties much crisper on the outside.