WHAT IS PATRA VADA?
Patra vade, is a popular snack in the southern region of India, especially in Coorg and Mangalore. This savory snack is made by layering a spicy besan (gram flour) mixture on colocasia leaves and then steaming or frying them. The result is a deliciously crispy and spicy snack that can be enjoyed as a tea-time snack or as a side dish.
INGREDIENTS:
The key ingredients in Patra vada includes 8-10 colocasia leaves (taro leaves), 1 cup of gram flour (besan), 2 tablespoons of rice flour, 1 teaspoon each of turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder, 1 teaspoon each of garam masala powder and amchur powder (dry mango powder), and salt to taste. You can also optionally add 1 teaspoon of jaggery for sweetness. Additionally, you’ll need oil for frying, 1 tablespoon of oil,1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, and 5-6 curry leaves to prepare the tempering.
MAKING PATRA VADA
The leaves are washed and trimmed before being coated with a besan mixture seasoned with turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and amchur powder. The leaves are then firmly coiled and either steamed or fried till golden brown and crispy. Cut the roll into little 1 cm thick pieces. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
When the oil is heated, add the rolled colocasia leaf pieces and cook until golden brown and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried pieces from the oil and set them on a piece of tissue paper to drain excess oil.
In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and add mustard seeds, sesame seeds, and curry leaves for tempering. Let a few seconds for them to sputter.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
Pour the tempering over the chunks of fried Colocasia leaf.Serve immediately with mint or tamarind chutney
HEALTH BENEFITS:
Patra vada is not only delicious, but it is also a healthy snack. The colocasia leaves used in this dish are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The besan used in the recipe is a good source of protein and contains essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, and potassium