Farali pattice is considered as a “vrat ka khana” or a fasting time food. It is basically a potato pattice with a sweet and spicy filling in it. Many people in India observe day long fasts during festival time. During these fasts, they do not eat cereals or cereal based products. So the food during this fasting time is prepared using ingredients which are not from cereals. The word “farali” is derived from the words “phal” – meaning fruit and “aahaar” meaning food – which is essentially how the fasting time food is usually.

This recipe was shared by my friend Vinanti, who is also showing us how to make these delicious pattice. You really don’t have to be on a fast to eat this – you can very well make them during any time. It makes for a good snack box meal as well as an evening tea time accompaniment. Kids will surely enjoy these too.

Few things to keep in mind

• Stuffing: You can alter the stuffing ingredients. The coconut and peanut stuffing does give a nice crunch to these pattice.
• Raisins: If you do not prefer to use raisins, you can always replace it with a pinch of sugar.
• Arrowroot Powder: Since this is made for people observing fast and on a restricted diet, arrowroot powder has been used as it is not a cereal based ingredient. If you do not have such restrictions, you can use cornflour instead.

Recipe

Ingredient List

For the covering

• Potatoes – 2 large or 3 medium, boiled and peeled
• Salt – as per taste
• Arrowroot powder – to coat the pattice

For the stuffing

• Grated Coconut – ¼ cup + 1 tbsp
• Peanuts – ¼ cup, roasted
• Coriander Leaves – a few springs
• Raisins – a few (about 2 tsp)
• Cashews – a few (about 2 tsp)
• Ginger – ½ inch piece
• Green Chilli – 1 or 2 (as per the spice levels needed)
• Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp
• Salt – as per taste

Step by Step Process

1. In a chopper, add all the ingredients for the stuffing and coarsely grind it. Do not add any water and make sure it is a coarse mix.
2. Mash the potatoes and add salt as per taste and mix it well.
3. Divide the potato mixture and the stuffing mixture into equal parts.
4. Take one part of the potato mixture and flatten it between your palms. Place one portion of the stuffing mixture in the center and bring together the edges of the potato mix together to form a ball.
5. Coat them in arrowroot powder and keep them aside.
6. Either shallow fry them in a pan or an appe pan till all sides are evenly brown colored.
7. Serve hot with sweetened yogurt or any chutney/dip of your choice.