Spicy Potato Noodles (Bataka Sev)

4.7
(6)

I've been obsessed with this crispy fried snack ever since my friend brought the recipe back from South Africa in 1988. This is adapted from a recipe she learned in a cooking class taught by a renowned Indian food authority in Cape Town, Ramola Parbhoo.

3
3
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
10 cups
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Ingredients

For the Green Chile Paste:

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh green chile peppers

  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped garlic

  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

For the Noodles:

  • 1 pound potatoes, peeled

  • 3 cups water

  • 3 ½ cups chickpea flour

  • 2 ½ teaspoons salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 2 tablespoons mustard oil

  • vegetable oil for deep frying

Directions

  1. Combine the chiles, garlic, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon turmeric, and 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a food processor or mortar and pestle and process into a fine paste. (Add a tablespoon of water if you need more liquid.) Set aside.

  2. Place the potatoes in a saucepan with the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook the potatoes until they're soft and easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Reserve the cooking water.

  3. Mash the potatoes while they're still warm, using some of the cooking water to get a smooth consistency. Mix in 1 tablespoon green chile paste, chickpea flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon turmeric, and mustard oil. Add enough reserved potato-cooking water as needed to make a soft dough. Taste the dough for heat level and seasoning (the dough will taste raw, but should be salty and spicy; the flavors will mellow slightly during cooking). Add more salt and chile paste if desired.

  4. Heat the cooking oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Use a potato ricer (or sev machine, if you have one) to press noodles into the oil. Fry until golden brown and crisp, about two minutes. Use a skimmer or slotted spoon to transfer the noodles to a paper towel-lined bowl. Repeat until all noodles are fried. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Editor's Notes

Be careful handling chiles: use rubber gloves to avoid getting the oils on your skin.

For step-by-step tips on how to fry, see our Deep Frying Advice article.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

336 Calories
18g Fat
35g Carbs
9g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 336
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g 24%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 1024mg 45%
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 9g 19%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Calcium 54mg 4%
Iron 4mg 19%
Potassium 274mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.