Javanese
Petjil: steamed vegetables with peanut sauce
Petjil is a Javanese-Surinamese dish of briefly steamed vegetables such as beansprouts, long bean and cabbage under peanut sauce. It is vegetarian by default and costs SRD 50 to SRD 120 in the warungs of Blauwgrond.
Petjil is the Surinamese form of Javanese pecel, and one of the few dishes in the Surinamese repertoire where vegetables are the main event rather than the accompaniment.
The vegetables are briefly steamed rather than boiled, so they stay crisp. The peanut sauce is thinner and sweeter than the satay sauce familiar in Europe.
For vegetarians this is the easiest thing in Suriname to order. Do ask whether there is trassi in the sauce, that is shrimp paste, and not every warung leaves it out.
Frequently asked questions
Is petjil vegetarian?
The vegetables are, but ask about the peanut sauce: it sometimes contains trassi (shrimp paste). Many Blauwgrond warungs will make a version without if you ask.
What is the difference between petjil and gado gado?
Petjil (from Javanese pecel) is usually just steamed vegetables with peanut sauce, while gado gado normally also has egg, potato, tofu or tempeh, making it a full meal. Beyond that they are close relatives.