Patoli (plural: Patoleo) or Patholi are sweet stuffed rice rolls which are steamed wrapped in turmeric leaves. It is a common dish during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Goa and Konkan regions of western India. Since there’s a unique technique involved in this recipe, the preparation and cooking of this dish is laborious. However, the ingredients used in it are simple and basic. It is vegan and since rice flour is the main ingredient, the dish is gluten free too.
What is Patoli
Rice rolls stuffed with fresh coconut and jaggery, and then steamed result in the dish named Patoli or Patoleo. The stuffing mixture may be flavored with spices like cardamom powder, nutmeg powder and dry fruits or nuts.
What makes Patoli extra special is the fact that method of cooking involves steaming these rice rolls in fresh turmeric leaves. July to September are the months when the markets in Goa and the Konkan belt of India are abundant with fresh turmeric leaves.
When the Patoli rolls are steamed in these leaves, they acquire their beautiful sweet and floral fragrance, making this dish all the more desirable and delectable. Patoleo are usually made in Gauri and Ganesha festivals in this region.
The Christian community uses a smearing of rice paste on the turmeric leaves, and cook the Patoli in a traditional steamer during their harvest festival.
My mom too makes Patoli and this is her recipe only. She uses a non-fermented batter which she makes from scratch by soaking and grind the rice.
I have taken the easy route by making this dish with fine rice flour. Patoli tastes similar to a Modak except for the scent from the turmeric leaves.
There are a few variations of this delish sweet in the Indian cuisine. A similar variant Ela Ada is made in Kerala with plantain leaves instead of turmeric leaves.
In Odisha another variation called Enduri Pitha is made with an outer layer of fermented urad dal and rice batter stuffed with a sweetened paneer filling, steamed in turmeric leaves.
As I mentioned earlier, the fresh turmeric leaves used to steam these sweet rice rolls makes all the difference. This is definitely the USP of Patoli.
You’ll know this while steaming these delicacies, as your kitchen will be filled with the divine aroma from these. If you can’t source turmeric leaves, steam the Patoleo in banana leaves.
Turmeric leaves are used to bring flavor and a lovely fragrance to any dish. So they are used to steam food or added to rice and sweet dishes. On occasions I also make Idli that are steamed in these fragrant leaves.
The procedure of preparing a Patholi takes a lot of patience and efforts. But eventually, you’ll find it all worth. What I also like about this delicacy is that it is vegan, gluten free, oil free and a healthier choice of sweet dish.
Most of the sweets and desserts in the Indian food repertoire are loaded with fats and sugar. Patoli is a nice change to all this sin that we commit once a while!
Thin and soft steamed rice covers stuffed with a heavenly coconut and melted jaggery mixture infused with the scent of spices and turmeric leaves.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to make Patoli
Prepare Batter
1. In a pan or bowl, mix 2 cups rice flour and ½ teaspoon salt with about 1.5 to 2 cups water to make a thick batter. The batter should be thicker than a dosa batter.
It should not be runny when spread on the leaves. Depending on the quality of rice flour, you can add less or more water than what I have added in the recipe.
Prepare the sweet filling
2. Mix 2 cups fresh grated coconut, 1.5 to 2 cups powdered jaggery, 1 teaspoon cardamom powder and 1 to 2 pinches grated nutmeg in a plate or bowl.
Note that I have used fine jaggery powder. If you chop jaggery, then cook it with the coconut and cardamom powder for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat.
Make Patoli
3. Now, rinse 8 to 10 large or 18 to 20 small turmeric leaves. Wipe them dry. Slice the stalks from the leaves.
Take each leaf and smash lightly the middle vein of each leaf with a pestle. This helps in rolling the leaves easily. You can also scrape off the thick center vein with a knife.
4. Spread the rice batter on the leaf. Cover the complete leaf.
5. Add the coconut-jaggery filling in the center of the leaf.
6. Fold one side down and press the edges. You can fold the leaves vertically or horizontally.
7. Since I had long leaves, I had cut the leaves into 2 or 3 parts. If you have small leaves, you can keep them whole and intact.
Steam Patoleo
8. Place the stuffed leaves on an idli steamer rack or any steamer lid or rack.
9. Steam these for about 10 to 12 minutes or till done. Remove once steamed.
You can use either the pressure cooker or idli cooker for steaming. If you have a small steamer, you will have to repeat the whole process.
10. When warm, gently remove the turmeric leaves from the steamed rolls and serve immediately. Patoli can be had plain or with drizzled with some ghee or with a side of coconut milk or milk.
My loss, your gain
One day while making the Patoli, I got a call from someone and I had to step out of my home because of the urgency. I had kept some Patoleo for steaming and told my sister to keep a check on that batch till I returned. My sister did prepare the remaining rolls, but stacked them one above the other.
Due to the steam, all the Patoli rolls stuck to each other. It was super difficult to separate them and we had a tough time to take out a few intact ones, which I could use for photography. It was already late and dark amidst this mayhem. So, I had to manage with some not so good-looking shots!
I hope you learn from this episode that you must not keep freshly steamed Patoli rolls stacked on top of each other, ever! But do go ahead and make this dish at home. Your family’s going to thank you for it. This is my assurance!
More Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes To Try!
Sweets Recipes
Sweets Recipes
Ladoo Recipes
Ladoo Recipes
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Patoli Recipe | Patoleo (Steamed Rice Rolls)
Patholi are steamed rice rolls which are stuffed with fresh coconut and jaggery mixture.
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
For the batter
For the sweet filling
Preparing the batter
Mix the rice flour, salt and water to a thick batter
Keep aside for 30 minutes.
Preparing the filling
Making patoli
Take the turmeric leaves and rinse them in water first a few times. Drain the water.
Wipe each leaf dry with a kitchen towel. Make sure there are no water droplets on the leaves.
Smash lightly the middle vein of the leaf with a pestle or just slice it thinly with a knife without breaking the leaf.
Cut the base stalk of the leaf.
Spread the rice flour batter evenly on the leaf.
Add the filling in the center of the leaf.
Now fold the leaf gently horizontally or vertically.
Press the edges.
Steam the patholi on medium heat for about 10 to 12 minutes or till the rice layer has firmed and cooked well.
When warm, remove the cooked turmeric leaves.
And serve Patoli with some coconut milk or milk or ghee.
These can also be had as is.
- If the rice batter becomes thin, add more rice flour.
- If the batter is very thick, then add some more water.
- The sweetness of the filling can be adjusted as per your taste.
- Swap banana leaves with turmeric leaves.
Nutrition Facts
Patoli Recipe | Patoleo (Steamed Rice Rolls)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 168 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g
Sodium 67mg3%
Potassium 47mg1%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 0.1IU0%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.03mg2%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.01mg1%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 0.1mg5%
Vitamin C 0.3mg0%
Vitamin E 0.04mg0%
Vitamin K 0.02µg0%
Calcium 10mg1%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 3µg1%
Iron 0.4mg2%
Magnesium 10mg3%
Phosphorus 28mg3%
Zinc 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This Patoli recipe from the blog archives first published in September 2012 has been updated and republished on December 2022.
Source: Dassana’s Veg Recipes
