Patí Costeño Nicaragüense
Pati is a popular Nicaragua breakfast or snack that is often made at home if your family is from “La Costa.” I was introduced to Pati from an early age because my mother was born and raised in Bluefields. Bluefields is the capital of the South Caribbean Autonomous Region in Nicaragua.
The origins of Pati come from our Afro-Caribbean ancestors, specifically enslaved Africans from Jamaica, a country from which a large number of the ancestors of the Afro-Caribbean ethnic groups that live in the country migrated to Nicaragua.
The word pati is derived from pasty, referring to the small cake that is highly consumed in Jamaican culture. The Jamaican patty was born as a combination of British pastry (the island was captured by the English in 1655), with the ingredients of the African culinary tradition.
It has become a food of common sale in streets all throughout the country, sidewalks, gyms, bus stations and, above all, in soccer stadiums (the favorite sport of Nicaragua), where it is particularly appreciated by fans, being common to see street vendors.
Pati is usually enjoyed with a cold soda, and you already know a cold Victoria or Toña our Nicaraguan beers!
Preparation for the meat:
1 ½ libra of ground beef
1 tbsp of paprika
1 grated large onions
4 habanero finely minced
1 tbsp beef consomme
1 cup of ground bread
Salt and Pepper to taste
½ cup of water
2 garlic cloves finely minced
Preparation for the empanada dough:
6 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tbsp of salt
4 ounces of melted butter
1 tbsp of baking butter
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of cold water
3 tbsp of paprika
Instructions For the meat:
-Mix the ground bread with the ground beef, grated onion, the well-chopped habanero chili, the achiote or paprika, the beef consomme, salt and pepper, and the chopped garlic; Knead everything together.
– Once kneaded it is put to saute in oil, semi brown, add 1/2 cup of water and mix until well cooked, (the result will be a soft meat paste), then remove from heat and let cool, while the flour dough is prepared.
