GOAN PATOLEO

A Hidden Konkan Gem

- Seeja Prabhu

Along the country's western coast lies the luscious paradise of the Konkan region, characterized by its immense vegetation that forms a dense blanket over the Earth's surface. Goa is an integral part of the Konkan that is bound by three distinct states.

Among the countless hidden gems that arise from the Konkan, Patoleo is the most tempting sweet treasure. Read ahead, to discover the roots of Goa's festival-favorite delicacy, how it found its way within the coastal heaven, its preparation, and when it is traditionally consumed by fellow Goans.

The origin of patoleo is considered to have stemmed from the influence of the Saraswat Brahmin community of the Hindu religion, it is said that Saraswat Brahmins acquire peculiar cooking methods and hence this is one of the specialty items they are known to have introduced to the rest of the population. It is additionally believed that patoleo, which is well recognized and savored in the western Konkan region, is also assumed to have originated in the northeastern region of Bengal.

This state has a very similar dish referred to as 'pitha', with the preparation as well as ingredients all being alike patoleo. Although, the factual emergence of patoleo as a dish is still a debatable topic.