Patoleo
Patoleo (singular: Patoli) are stuffed turmeric leaf wraps, a dish which is mostly prepared on the western coast of India. The main stuffing is made from freshly shredded coconut, rice flour paste, and palm jaggery; and cooked by wrapping and steaming in turmeric leaves.
Hindu community
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Konkani-speaking Hindus prepare Patoleo on the second Sunday of Shravan,[1] on Nag Panchami and on Hartalika, the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi.[2] Salt-free Patoleo are offered to the Goddess Parvati, who, according to local legend, is said to have a strong craving for these sweets during her pregnancy.
Patoleo is traditionally served wrapped in its leaf on a dish. The leaf is removed before eating, and the sweet is commonly consumed as part of a vegetarian festive meal during Goan Hindu festivals.[3] A similar dish called Ely Ada is made in Kerala for the festival of Onam.
Christian community
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The simplest version of the Goan Catholic Patoleo is prepared by smearing parboiled rice (ukadeñ tândul) paste on fresh turmeric leaves (hôldi pân) to which a filling of freshly grated coconut (chûn) and coconut jaggery (mâddâcheñ godd) is added. The leaves are then folded, sealed and steamed, traditionally in a utensil known as chondrõ. These are served hot on a platter with the leaves on and eaten after peeling them off. They are often accompanied with tea or other hot beverages.[4]
The Catholic feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a holy day of obligation) which falls on 15 August coincides with the Independence Day of India.[5] It is a feast held dearly by the Goan Catholic community, as many villages across Goa celebrate Konsâcheñ fest (harvest festival) on this day and Patoleo are the star dish of the celebration.[6][7][8] It is also prepared in Goa on the feast of São João (Nativity of St John the Baptist) which falls on 24 June.[9]
Patoleo are sent with Vojeñ (bridal trousseau) to the bridegroom's house by the Goan people;Catholics and Hindus alike. The tradition of distributing Patoleo to neighbours and friends after the arrival of a new born in the family is still retained by some Goans. In bygone times, Patoleo were also distributed to mark the completion of construction of a house in Goa. Some Goan Catholic families send Patoleo to a house where people are mourning the death of a family member.[9] Before modern medicine, Patoleo was used as a traditional remedy for whooping cough.[10]
East Indian Catholics call it Pân Mori or 'East Indian leaf cakes' and the Mangalorean Catholic community calls it Patoli (ಪಾತೊಳಿ) in Kannada.
Gallery
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Grated coconut (soy) and palm jaggery (mâddâcheñ godd) in mortar and pestle -
Mixing soy and mâddâncheñ godd -
Parbolied (ukadeñ tândul) rice paste, jaggery-coconut mixture (chûn), and turmeric leaves (hôldi pân) -
Ukadeñ tândul paste smeared on Hôldi pân -
Chûn and rice paste smeared on turmeric leaf -
Patoli before steaming -
Patoleo before steaming -
Chondrõ steamer -
Opened chondrõ -
Patoleo placed for steaming -
Steamed patoleo in chondrõ -
Patoleo ready to be eaten after peeling the leaves -
Unsweetened black tea and patoleo
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References
[edit]- ^ "Here's what makes Goa's 'Shravan' Sundays irresistibly sweet". Gomantak Times. Sakal Media Group. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues (30 August 2015), "Harvest and Traditions", The Navhind Times, retrieved 16 August 2017
- ^ "Chovoth Festival Traditions 2025". ItsGoa. 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Rachel Fernandes (12 February 2017), "Tall, dark and sweet: Pyramids on a plate", The Times of India, Panaji, retrieved 15 August 2017
- ^ Satyen Mohapatra (15 August 2007), "Double celebration for Indian Roman Catholics on Aug 15", Hindustan Times, retrieved 16 August 2017
- ^ Sheras Fernandes (13 August 2017), "Patolienchem Fest gets bigger and better", The Navhind Times, retrieved 16 August 2017
- ^ Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues (21 August 2016), "Konsachem Fest: Giving thanks for a bountiful harvest", The Navhind Times, retrieved 16 August 2017
- ^ Miguel Braganza (1 August 2017), "Turmeric treats", The Navhind Times, retrieved 16 August 2017
- ^ a b Melinda Pereira Kamat (16 August 2008), "A tradition wrapped in leaves", The Times of India, Goa, archived from the original on 9 October 2018, retrieved 15 August 2017
- ^ Dias, Raul (14 August 2020). "In Goa, August 15 is the day of the patoleo, a dessert that is prepared for a Catholic feast". Business Line. The Hindu. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
