Gateaux Piments (Mauritian Split Pea and Chili Fritters)
Local name: Gato pima
In short: Crisp fritters of ground yellow split peas with green chili, spring onion and coriander, fried until deep gold. A Mauritian street snack. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 190 kcal
Gateaux piments, called gato pima in Creole, are the little chili cakes that Mauritians buy by the bag from street stalls and beach vendors. Soaked yellow split peas are ground coarsely with fresh chili, spring onion and coriander, shaped into balls and fried until crisp outside and soft inside. They are eaten as they are, with a dab of chili sauce, or tucked into a baguette for a filling snack.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked split peas and grind them in a food processor with 2 tablespoons of water, pulsing to a thick, coarse paste like rough hummus.
- Transfer to a bowl and stir in the chilies, spring onions, coriander, garlic, cumin and salt.
- Heat the oil in a deep pot to 175°C (350°F). Wet your hands and shape the mixture into walnut-sized balls, flattening each slightly.
- Fry the fritters in batches for 4 to 5 minutes, turning them, until deep golden brown and crisp all over.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot, with chili sauce or tucked into a baguette.
Tips
- Keep the paste coarse and add only enough water to keep the blades turning. A smooth paste gives dense, heavy fritters.
- If a fritter falls apart in the oil, stir 1 tablespoon of chickpea flour into the mix to bind it, then try again.
Questions and answers
Are gateaux piments vegan and gluten-free?
Yes. They are made only from split peas, vegetables and spices, and fried in vegetable oil. Check that your oil and spices are free of gluten if you need to be strict.
Can I bake or air-fry them instead?
Yes. Brush the shaped fritters with oil and air-fry at 190°C (375°F) for 12 to 14 minutes, turning once. They will be less crisp but still tasty.
How are gateaux piments eaten in Mauritius?
Hot, from a paper bag, with chili sauce, or crumbled into a fresh baguette with chutney as a sandwich.
How long does it take to make Gateaux Piments (Mauritian Split Pea and Chili Fritters)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gateaux Piments (Mauritian Split Pea and Chili Fritters)?
About 190 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 190 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
