samosa

A samosa is a fried or baked pastry filled with a savory stuffing and typically shaped as a triangle. The outer crust is usually made from all-purpose flour, water, and salt, and is sometimes enriched with ghee or oil. Fillings vary by region, but the most common in South Asia are spiced mashed potatoes with peas, onions, and green chili, along with cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Meat versions use minced lamb, beef, or chicken. Samosas are traditionally deep-fried, though baked versions are also prepared in many cuisines.

Origins of the samosa are not definitively documented. Similar pastries appear in Central Asia and the Middle East, and it is widely believed that the Indian subcontinent adopted and adapted the dish through long-standing trade and cultural contact. Today samosas are a staple street food across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, with regional variants such as vegetarian samosas in India and Pakistan and meat-filled versions in Afghanistan and East Africa. Related pastries in the region include sambousek in the Middle East; the form and name have diversified as they spread.

In modern cuisine, samosas are commonly sold by street vendors and served as appetizers in restaurants. They are typically accompanied by chutneys such as tamarind or mint-coriander, yogurt sauce, or chili sauce. Samosas also appear at festive occasions and Ramadan in some cultures, and many cooks offer baked or lighter fried versions as a alternative.