Central Africa · Street food
Pastel de Peixe (Crispy Fried Fish Turnover)
Golden, flaky deep-fried hand pies stuffed with flaked spiced skipjack tuna, caramelized onions, and fiery island peppers.
The story
Sold by bustling palaiês (female market traders) at transport junctions and beachside stalls in São Tomé city, Pastel de Peixe is the quintessential on-the-go Santomean snack. Influenced by Lusophone turnover traditions, islanders developed their own distinct recipe centered on freshly landed oceanic fish and fiery malagueta peppers. A crucial culinary technique is rolling the dough exceptionally thin and resting it adequately, ensuring a blistered, crisp pastry that seals securely without leaking fish juices into the hot oil.
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