Vegetarian Jamaican Patties

The prefect on-the-go food while Island hopping in Jamaica.

My birth father is Jamaican, and while I was only there for 48 hours, I could definitely feel the strong connection to the island! The laid-back attitude, the spices and flavors in their food, the sun beating down — I can feel my heritage down to my bones!

INGREDIENTS

Pastry:

• 4 Cups / 500 g plain flour (all-purpose)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 stick of vegan block butter, cold and diced (can use vegan block)
• 3 Tbsp ice water
• soy milk for brushing

Filling Option 1:

• Seasonal Vegetables diced and sautéed

Filling Option 2:

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 brown onion peeled and finely chopped
• 200 g sweet potato peeled and chopped into small dice
• 1 large carrot chopped into small dice
• 200 g butternut squash peeled and chopped into small dice
• 100 g finely shredded savoy cabbage
• 2 medium tomatoes diced
• 60 g frozen peas
• 60 g frozen sweetcorn
• 70 g frozen broad beans
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
• 1 scotch bonnet chilli deseeded and finely chopped
• 2 spring onions (scallions) thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp white pepper
• 150 ml (3/4 cup) full fat coconut milk (from a tin)

DIRECTIONS

• Pastry: In a food processor put the flour, salt, turmeric and curry powder and pulse to combine. Add the cold, diced butter and blend until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• While the motor is running, moderately drizzle in the cold water until it starts to clump together into a dough. You may not need all of the water.
• Bring the dough together by hand and shape into a disc. Cover and place in the fridge for at least half an hour.
• Filling: In a large pan place the coconut oil over a low heat. Add the onion and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until it is soft.
• Add the sweet potato, carrot, butternut squash, cabbage, tomatoes, peas, sweetcorn and broad beans and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables have started to soften.
• Add the garlic, scotch bonnet, spring onions, allspice, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, turmeric, thyme, salt and white pepper and cook for another minute.
• Add the coconut milk and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the liquid has reduced. Allow to cool then refrigerate until cold.
• Once both the filling and pastry are cold, divide the disc of pastry into 8 even pieces and roll each one into a ball.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball out into a circle about 3mm thick. Cut round an upturned approximately 16cm/6in round plate or saucer with a sharp knife to get a neat circle of dough.
• Place a couple of heaped spoonful of the filling on one side of the circle, be careful not to add too much or you won’t be able to seal the patty.
• Brush a little water around the rim of the pastry and fold it over the filling. Press the edges together to seal, then crimp the edge with the tines of a fork. Cut a little slit in the top of the patty for steam to escape.
• Once you have rolled out and shaped all 8 of your balls of dough, gather together the trimmings and divide them into two balls. Roll out and shape as before to make two more patties. You might have a bit of filling left over.
• Place the patties on a couple of baking sheets lined with baking parchment and refrigerate for half an hour (or freeze for 20 mins).
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C/180°fan/400°F/gas mark 6. Brush the tops of the chilled patties with a little dairy free milk (I used soy) then bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
• Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Inspired By: Domestic Gothess