Stuffed Potato · Western Style
Mbatten Batata
Photo: Fajria Derbash / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
The potato is sliced into a hinged 'sandwich' joined at the base, so the meat filling stays locked inside while it fries.
Thick potato slices are cut almost through to form a hinged pocket, filled with minced meat, parsley and Libyan spices, dipped in egg and breadcrumbs or flour and deep-fried, then often served in or with a light tomato sauce — a hearty appetizer sold at Tripoli's casual eateries and a Ramadan favorite.
Why it's made this way: Mbatten is one of the dishes most Libyans associate with Ramadan evenings, and Tripoli households are known for serving it simmered briefly in tomato sauce, though many cooks keep it crisp and serve the sauce on the side.
More from Libya
Sfinz
Lahm Mishwi (Grilled Lamb Skewers)
🍲
Sharba Libiya (Libyan Soup)
Shai Libi (Libyan Tea)
🐟
Sharmoula
Bazin
Part of World of Street Food — 3443 dishes from 118 countries.
Something wrong here? Tell us in the comments below.
Photo credits.