Pastel com Diabo Dentro

What it really is

A Cabo Verdean fried pastry filled with spicy tuna and aromatics.

Pastel com Diabo Dentro is a savoury Cabo Verdean pastry commonly described with tuna seasoned with onion, tomato and chilli. The name evokes a “devil inside,” but does not promise a fixed filling or heat level. A thin dough shell encloses the seasoned centre and is fried or baked according to the preparation. The result is a portable snack with a crisp exterior and hot filling. Tuna is a common choice, but the menu should identify the filling in the batch rather than relying on the name alone. Chilli can vary, and a dipping sauce is a separate accompaniment. Wheat is present in the pastry version represented here; oil and any sauce also need to be checked. The name's playful wording should not replace a plain ingredient description, especially for diners deciding whether the snack contains fish or how spicy it is.

For a portable snack, the pastry can be served on its own, but a dipping sauce may accompany it. State whether the filling is tuna, another fish, meat or vegetables and how much chilli is used. The pastry is best served soon after cooking, while the shell remains crisp and the filling is warm. Allow it to cool enough to handle before serving.

How it's served

• Serve warm as a snack or light meal.
• A spicy sauce may accompany it.

How to write it on the menu

• State that the filling contains tuna and wheat pastry.
• Mention chilli heat and any dipping sauce.