Gateau Piment

Name: Gateau Piment
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mauritian
Ingredients: 400g yellow split peas, soaked overnight; 4 green chillies, finely chopped; 1 onion, finely diced; 10 curry leaves, chopped; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground turmeric; Salt to taste; Vegetable oil for deep frying; Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Gateau Piment (gah-TOH pee-MAHN)

Chilli Fritters

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 224 kcal

Crispy deep-fried fritters made from ground yellow split peas, fresh chillies, curry leaves, and cumin, served as a beloved street snack.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 10.0g

Carbs 28.0g

Fat 8.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free

Equipment Needed

food processor deep fryer or heavy pot slotted spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: paper cone or plate

Garnishes: lime wedge

Accompaniments: tomato chutney, crusty bread roll

Ingredients

400g yellow split peas, soaked overnight
4 green chillies, finely chopped
1 onion, finely diced
10 curry leaves, chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil for deep frying
Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions

1
Drain the soaked split peas and grind them in a food processor to a coarse paste, not too smooth.
2
Mix in chillies, onion, curry leaves, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and salt until well combined.
3
Shape the mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut, pressing firmly so they hold together.
4
Heat oil to 170C and deep fry the fritters in batches until golden brown and crispy, about four minutes.
5
Drain on paper towels and serve hot with tomato chutney or inside a bread roll as a sandwich.

💡

Did You Know?

Gateau piment served inside a crusty bread roll is called a gateau piment dans pain and is considered the ultimate Mauritian street food sandwich.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

food processor
deep fryer or heavy pot
slotted spoon

Garnishing

lime wedge

Accompaniments

tomato chutney, crusty bread roll

The Story Behind Gateau Piment

Gateau piment arrived in Mauritius with Indian indentured laborers in the nineteenth century, evolving from the South Indian vada tradition. The fritters became one of the island's most popular street foods, sold from small carts at markets and bus stops across the country. Their crispy exterior and spicy interior made them irresistible to all communities, and they are now considered as Mauritian as they are Indian in origin.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed snack, any time of day 📜 Origins: 19th century Indian immigrant

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