Pastel com Diabo Dentro (Cape Verdean Fried Tuna Turnovers)
In short: Crisp fried turnovers filled with spiced tuna, onion, tomato and potato, the Cape Verdean snack whose name means pastry with the devil inside. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 490 kcal
The name means pastry with the devil inside, and the devil is hot pepper. These half-moon turnovers are sold at stalls, bakeries and parties all over Cabo Verde, filled with a spiced mix of tuna, onion, tomato and a little potato. The dough is simple and fries up blistered and crisp. Make the filling a day ahead so it is cool and easy to handle, and serve the pastels hot, with a squeeze of lime if you like.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Rub in the oil, then add the warm water a little at a time and knead for 5 minutes into a smooth, soft dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat the tablespoon of oil in a pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, tomato and chili and cook for 4 minutes, until the tomato breaks down and the mixture is fairly dry.
- Stir in the tuna, potato, pepper, salt and parsley, breaking up the tuna with a fork. Cook for 2 minutes, then let the filling cool completely.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 2 mm (1/16 in) thick. Cut circles about 10 cm (4 in) wide with a bowl or cutter, rerolling the scraps.
- Put a heaped tablespoon of filling on each circle. Dampen the edge with water, fold over into a half moon, and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Heat the frying oil in a deep pan to 175°C (350°F). Fry the turnovers in batches of 4 for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and blistered.
- Drain on a rack or paper towels. Serve hot with lime wedges and extra chili for anyone who wants more devil.
Tips
- Seal the edges firmly and press out air pockets, or the turnovers can burst in the hot oil. A fully cooled filling also stops steam from tearing the dough.
- To bake instead, brush the pastels with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 to 25 minutes until golden. They will be less blistered but still good.
Questions and answers
Can I make pastel com diabo dentro ahead of time?
Yes. Fill and seal the turnovers, then refrigerate them covered on a floured tray for up to 24 hours. Fry just before serving so they stay crisp.
Can I freeze them?
Freeze the uncooked, sealed turnovers on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Fry straight from frozen at a slightly lower heat, about 165°C (330°F), for 5 to 6 minutes.
Why is it called pastry with the devil inside?
The devil is the hot pepper in the tuna filling. The filling is usually spiced enough to warm the mouth, so adjust the chili to your own taste.
How long does it take to make Pastel com Diabo Dentro (Cape Verdean Fried Tuna Turnovers)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pastel com Diabo Dentro (Cape Verdean Fried Tuna Turnovers)?
About 490 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 490 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
