Chatti pathiri

Chatti Pathiri is a layered pastry, a traditional dish from the Malabar region of Kerala, India. It is made in both sweet and savory variations. The dish is very similar to the Italian lasagna, but instead of pasta, pastry sheets/pancakes made with flour, egg, and water are used.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in the making of Chatti Pathiri are flour, egg, oil and water for the crepes. The sweet version is filled with sweetened beaten eggs, nuts and raisins, and is seasoned with cardamom. The savory version is made with traditional meat filling used in making samosas or savoury puffs.

Preparation

The preparation begins with making crepes (pathiris). Then the filling is made according to the preference of sweet or savory. For sweet, the filling is a mixture of eggs, sugar, cardamom, and ghee, along with fried cashews and raisins. For the savory version, the filling is a cooked mixture of meat (chicken, beef, or mutton), onions, green chillies, and garam masala.

The baking dish is greased and layered with the crepes, then the filling, this process is repeated till all the crepes have been used. The top layer is then covered with beaten egg and ghee. The dish is then baked until the top turns a golden brown color.

Cultural Significance

Chatti Pathiri is often served during special occasions and is a staple during the Ramadan period among the Muslim community in Malabar. It is considered a gourmet dish due to its lengthy preparation time and the variety of ingredients used.

Variations

There are many variations of Chatti Pathiri that include using different types of meat for the filling in the savory version or using different types of nuts in the sweet version. Some variations include using coconut milk for a richer flavor.

See Also

• Malabar cuisine
• Kerala cuisine
• Indian cuisine
• Ramadan cuisine