If you are from Pakistan or India, or if you have ever visited these countries, then you must know that in this region, the samosa snack is right at the top of the list. Savory snack cravings anytime during the day usually lead one to the samosa shop or stall. During winter, they can be eaten together with hot, milky tea and in summertime with a fizzy drink, but of course always with a hot dipping sauce. The combination of crunchy pastry and the spicy filling never fails to satisfy.
Samosa snack—the star of desi high tea
Samosas are the first thing on the menu when guests are to be entertained for tea. One could say that the samosa is the star of the subcontinent’s ‘high tea’ just as scones are the crown of the traditional English high tea.
Samosas served to guests at tea are usually the more refined ‘kaghzi’ ones. The word literally means papery, and refers to pastry that is ultra-thin and flaky. The street snack variety tends to be larger and made of thicker pastry dough, usually with a spicy vegetarian filling. The elegant kaghzi ones are bite-sized, with a minced lamb, beef, and chicken filling, and have an added crunch. Of course, other foods such as shami kababs are also typically served with tea; however, the formal tea would never be complete without the samosa snack.
Interestingly, according to a 2023 survey conducted by the UK Tea & Infusions Association, after granola bars, the samosa snack is the second most popular teatime choice among young people between 18 and 29. The survey suggests that Gen Z prefers nutty and spicy flavors with their tea, instead of the traditional English sweet biscuit.
Naturally, this does not place the samosa at the heart of the English high tea ceremony, but it does reflect the immense popularity of this triangular delight.
Samosa—snack, appetizer, food of festivity
Since the samosa snack is a global favorite, many versions of it can be enjoyed in different countries.
In the Emirates, the samboosa is hugely popular. It is traditionally served as an appetizer but is also eaten as a snack during the day. Mint chutney and sweet chili sauce are the usual dipping sauces. Accompanying beverages are Arabic coffee or ‘karak chai’, strong black milky tea. The Emirati variety also contains the local spice bezar, a blend of cumin, fennel, coriander seeds, etc. Loomi, a spice made from dried lime, is also used. The typical filling is lamb or beef mince with sautéed onions and garlic. Vegetarian versions contain a filling of potatoes, peas, carrots, and spices.
Samboosa is also a traditional delicacy in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi samboosa is a common appetizer and snack, served hot with mint yogurt or tamarind sauce.
Of course, in Muslim communities around the world, the samosa snack remains an essential food for iftar or breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan.
Samosa snack—a global finger food at parties
Samosa is the perfect example of fusion food; wherever it reached, local touches made it something different. In Indonesia, the samosa takes yet another turn. Other than the customary potato filling, it also comes with cheese, curry, rousong (meat floss: made by cooking meat, shredding it very thinly, and drying it over low heat until it becomes fluffy), and noodles. It is enjoyed with Sambal sauce (a red chili sauce with caramelized garlic and shallots). Amanda shares an easy recipe for this rich in taste sauce, and it can serve as a dip for any kind of samosa you like to eat.
In Central Asia, the cooking method of samosa changes from frying to baking, and the preferred filling is minced lamb and onions. Other variations include cheese, beef, and pumpkin.
In Ethiopia, the samosa becomes the lentil sambusa, filled with brown or green lentils, mixed with onions and garlic, spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and black pepper. The pastry is thin and flaky. The sambusa is deep-fried. It is usually eaten as a snack or appetizer and accompanied by awaze. This is a red Ethiopian hot sauce made of berbere and mitmita, spice blends with chili, garlic, cloves, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, etc., niter kibbeh, a type of clarified and spiced butter, tej, a traditional honey wine drink, lemon, and vegetable oil. Another condiment with which the Ethiopian sambusa is served is the green koch-kocha sauce. The sauce is prepared by grinding green peppers and mixing them with spices like ginger, onion, salt, and distilled butter.
Egyptians prepare their sambusa with various fillings ranging from meat, cheese, chicken, to vegetables, with spices such as cumin and coriander. It serves as an appetizer, a snack for guests, and a treat for the whole family at any time.
Indians brought it to Nigeria, but now the samosa snack is an all-around Nigerian favorite, served as finger food at parties, usually with a spiced meat and vegetable filling, served with cold drinks.
The national dish samosa
In South Africa, Arab traders introduced the samboosa. The samosa snack was also influenced by Dutch settlers and Malaysian and Indonesian recipes brought by plantation slave workers. The South African bobotie samosa is the result. The bobotie is considered to be the national dish of South Africa. It is a casserole with curried ground beef, enriched with spices such as turmeric, cumin, curry powder, aromatic dried herbs such as basil, oregano, etc. There is fruit chutney at the bottom and a thin layer of egg custard on top.
The South African bobotie samosas have a thin, crunchy crust and an egg and beef filling, together with apricot chili sauce to which ginger and garlic are added, and spices such as red chilies, turmeric, ground coriander, cumin, etc. They are served with apricot chili sauce consisting of apricot jam, white vinegar, tamarind paste, and dried chili flakes.
Why is the samosa so popular as a snack food?
Samosas are a popular snack and street food all over the world, including Europe and the US.
The versatile samosa snack can accommodate different tastes and preferences, with fillings that range from vegetarian to meat, chicken, and fish. When they come in a bigger size, along with a dipping sauce and/or salad, you can even enjoy them as a quick main meal. On the other hand, the mini samosa is an elegant finger food for parties. It is an ideal starter for a variety of meals, and baked varieties appeal to those who wish to avoid fried foods.
According to the book titled Empanadas: The Hand-Held Pies of South America, by Sandra Gutierrez, empanadas and samosas share a common origin in Persia around 250 BCE. The recipe then travelled in different directions in the world, ending up being adapted and shaped by all kinds of local and regional influences. Empanadas are not triangular, mostly made with meat and with Latin American spices such as jalapenos, but other than this, the two snacks are essentially the same. Both are deep-fried dough with a spicy filling, and served with dipping sauces, frequently cilantro-based.
Perhaps the main reason why the samosa snack became one of the top fusion choices in the world is that it was originally conceived as a food for travellers. The pastry was thick and rough back then, made to stay edible for longer periods of time while the traveler traversed large distances on foot. And, in many regions, similar foods already existed, with which a new recipe could be merged, with desirable changes and alterations. For example, the Cornish pasty in England is very similar to the samosa. Thus, the samosa traveled far and wide, and given its ancient origins and similarity to existing local foods, it is believed that it became the world’s first fast food!
Concluding words…
If you are planning a party, pick one of the many Kaiser samosas. The mini chicken and beef samosa will make an ideal finger food. Do you need an appetizer for lunch or dinner? Kaiser’s crispy beef, chicken, and lamb versions are ideal. Not a meat eater…not to worry…Kaiser offers vegetable fillings with potatoes and peas.
And of course, just as you might suddenly want to go off on a little trip, you never know when you will start craving this crispy and spicy delectable snack. So, restock your favorite Kaiser’s ready-to-cook samosa snacks regularly, to set you off on a delicious journey!
