Patra
Colocasia leaf rolls filled with spiced gram flour paste - a Gujarati delicacy with perfect sweet-sour-spicy balance.
Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Servings
6 people
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
Colocasia Leaves
For Paste
Tempering
Instructions
Prepare the Paste
10 minsMix gram flour, tamarind paste, jaggery, red chili powder, turmeric, asafoetida, ginger-chili paste, and salt. Add water gradually to make a thick, spreadable paste.
Prepare Leaves
10 minsWash colocasia leaves thoroughly and pat dry. Cut off the thick stem from the back of each leaf without tearing. Place leaves vein side up.
Apply Paste
15 minsSpread the besan paste evenly on each leaf, starting from the largest leaf at the bottom. Stack 3-4 leaves on top of each other with paste between each layer.
Roll the Leaves
10 minsFold the sides of stacked leaves inward and roll tightly from one end to the other, creating a log shape. Repeat with remaining leaves.
Steam
30 minsPlace rolls in a steamer and steam for 25-30 minutes until firm. Let them cool completely before slicing into 1-inch rounds.
Temper and Serve
5 minsHeat oil, add mustard seeds and sesame seeds. Once they splutter, pour over sliced patra. Garnish with coconut and coriander.
Chef's Tips
- Use tender, fresh colocasia leaves without holes
- The paste should be thick enough to coat leaves without dripping
- Balance of sweet, sour, and spicy is key to authentic taste
- Let the rolls cool completely before cutting for clean slices
- Can be shallow fried after steaming for extra crispiness
The Story Behind Patra
Patra, also known as Alu Vadi in Maharashtra or Patrode in Karnataka, is a classic Gujarati snack that showcases the culinary ingenuity of using colocasia leaves. The dish transforms simple ingredients into an elegant spiral of flavors.
The technique of spreading spiced gram flour paste on leaves, rolling them tightly, and steaming results in beautiful pinwheel slices. The tamarind and jaggery combination creates the characteristic Gujarati sweet-sour profile that makes this snack irresistible.