Patoleo (singular: Patoli) are stuffed turmeric leaf wraps, a dish which is mostly prepared on the western coast of India. The main stuffing is made from freshly shredded coconut, rice flour paste, and palm jaggery; and cooked by wrapping and steaming in turmeric leaves.
Konkani-speaking Hindus prepare on the second Sunday of Shravan, on Nag Panchami and on Hartalika, the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi. Salt-free are offered to the Goddess Parvati, who, according to local legend, is said to have a strong craving for these sweets during her pregnancy.
Patoleo is traditionally served wrapped in its leaf on a dish. The leaf is removed before eating, and the sweet is commonly consumed as part of a vegetarian festive meal during Goan Hindu festivals. A similar dish called Ely Ada is made in Kerala for the festival of Onam.
The simplest version of the Goan Catholic is prepared by smearing parboiled rice () paste on fresh turmeric leaves () to which a filling of freshly grated coconut () and coconut jaggery () is added. The leaves are then folded, sealed and steamed, traditionally in a utensil known as . These are served hot on a platter with the leaves on and eaten after peeling them off. They are often accompanied with tea or other hot beverages.
The Catholic feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a holy day of obligation) which falls on 15 August coincides with the Independence Day of India. It is a feast held dearly by the Goan Catholic community, as many villages across Goa celebrate (harvest festival) on this day and are the star dish of the celebration. It is also prepared in Goa on the feast of (Nativity of St John the Baptist) which falls on 24 June.
are sent with (bridal trousseau) to the bridegroom's house by the Goan people;Catholics and Hindus alike. The tradition of distributing to neighbours and friends after the arrival of a new born in the family is still retained by some Goans. In bygone times, were also distributed to mark the completion of construction of a house in Goa. Some Goan Catholic families send to a house where people are mourning the death of a family member. Before modern medicine, was used as a traditional remedy for whooping cough.
East Indian Catholics call it or 'East Indian leaf cakes' and the Mangalorean Catholic community calls it Patoli (à ²ªà ²¾à ²¤à ³Âà ²³à ²¿) in Kannada.