Samosa
East India Spice Company’s Samosa.
A samosa (/səˈmoʊsə/) is a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, meat, or lentils. It may take different forms, including triangular, cone, or half-moon shapes, depending on the region. The Indian style, often accompanied by a chutney, is probably the most widely-known of a broad family of recipes from Africa to China, which have origins in medieval times or earlier. Samosas are a popular entrée, appetizer, or snack in the local cuisines of the Indian subcontinent, Western Asia, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and Africa. Due to emigration and cultural diffusion from these areas, samosas in today's world are also often prepared in other regions.
The samosa is made with all-purpose flour locally known as maida shell stuffed with some filling, generally a mixture of mashed boiled potato, onions, green peas, lentils, spices and green chili, or dry-fruits. The entire pastry is then deep-fried in vegetable oil or rarely ghee to a golden-brown color. It is served hot and is often eaten with fresh green chutney, such as mint, coriander, or tamarind. Samosas are often served in chaat, along with the traditional accompaniments of either chick pea or white pea preparation, garnished with yoghurt, tamarind and green chutney, chopped onions, coriander, and chaat masala. It can also be served with tomato sauce.
