Rathaloo Chaat | Baked Sweetpotato Snack

Many years ago, while in Delhi during winters, the husband and I decided to brave the cold weather and ventured from the hotel we were staying, towards Janpath and CP. I think it must have been around 6:30 pm and it was pretty dark already and what seemed like fun wasnt at all ! I was chilled to the bone, and all our efforts to find a quick supper along CP proved pointless - there was a mile-long queue of wannabe diners at Saravana Bhavan, and we really thought we should have some 'non-south' indian fare - we walked and walked and walked about a mile past shut doors and closed markets - almost like a curfew.. At the end of it, I couldnt take the tummy rumblings any longer, and decided that I need some food. S made a few calls to his friends @ Delhi, and we were told that owing to Sunday, most markets were shut.sigh.. Now even to get back to the hotel, we had left our car behind in some parking place @ CP (and hoped it would be there), but there was the hunger issue to handle :-) Till, till, we saw what was a flicker of candle, and moved towards that like fireflies :-) It turned out to be a vendor selling Rathaloo Chat (at that point, my culinary dictionary didnt know what that meant). 

I believe it is also known as Shakarkandi. I asked what it was - veg / non veg ? .. although the distinct aroma of the sigdi (coal stove) was tempting with the wares he sold, but I just wanted to know if it was vegetarian. He didnt know what they called Rathaloo in english. Finally, after what seemed ages, I agreed to have it (read gulp it), and it seemed like heaven. The roasted sweet potato (and that's what Rathaloo meant! silly me :-)) along with the fiery chutney and chat masala was exactly not 'supper' but I came to love another Delhi street food (along with Golgappas) and have today tried to re-create that magic in my kitchen :-) Although you can make this quick snack throughout the year, the fresh pink-skinned veggies are extra tasty during the winters. Like the Sweet potato croquetes, patties or even the baked Samosa, my family seems to prefer this veggie a lot. This goes to the following events:
Radhika's Winter Carnival, Sangee’s BakeFest-event by Vardhini & Priya's bookmarked recipes

Prep time : 10 mins. Cook time : 10 mins. Serves: 2
Adapted from here

Ingredients:

• Sweet potato - 2 large
• Onions - minced - 1/2 cup (opt.)
• Green chutney - 2 TBSP
• Meetha / sweet chutney - 1 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Green chillies - minced - 1/4 tsp.
• Chaat Masala - 1 tsp
• Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• coriander leaves &  lemon juice - for garnish 
• Sev / ompudi - for garnish (opt.) : I didnt have any, so skipped it

Method:
1) Wash and slightly peel the sweet potatoes. Bake at 170 C for 10 -15 mins till done.
2) Cool and cube them (with the skin on)
3) In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients. Add the cubed veggies and toss once. Serve hot topped with lemon juice , coriander and sev ! Superb wintery bliss, and a no-oil snack at that :-) You couldnt beat that !