 Aloo pie | |
| Type | fried dumpling |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Region or state | Caribbean |
| Associatedcuisine | Indo-Caribbean cuisine |
| Main ingredients | dough, potatoes, spices, peppers, chickpea curry (optional) |
| Variations | various toppings and spices |
Analoo pie is aCaribbean fast food dish common inTrinidad and Tobago and is ofIndo-Trinidadian origin.
An aloo pie is a pastry filled with seasoned mashed potatoes and then fried. It is therefore similar tosamosas, but at 10-15 cm in length it is significantly larger, and it does not have a triangular basic shape, but resembles a Cornishpasty. The dough consists of flour, water, salt, baking powder and if necessary some saffron for the color. Seasonings and ingredients used in the mashed potatoes include salt, pepper, onion, cumin, and garlic,[1] and occasionally green seasoning andlong coriander (chadon beni).[2] As a rule, the dumplings are cut open before serving and garnished with a curry based on chickpeas or green peas. It is seasoned with a chutney (usually based ontamarind ormango), chadon beni and a spicy pepper sauce.[3]
Aloo is aHindi word meaning potato. Trinidad was a British colony from 1797 to 1962, so English is spoken there. After the abolition of slavery in Trinidad, numerous Indians were recruited from 1845 as cheap labor for the plantations, who in turn introduced curries that were often vegetarian and sometimes contained potatoes. The pies are sold in snack bars, but also in bakeries and cafeterias in Trinidad. On the street, aloo pies are often sold by vendors who also selldoubles, since both dishes are fried and can therefore be made with the same appliance.[4]
