Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Most Delicious Street Food of Africa Samosa Deep Fried Pastry

Make African street food spiced potato-stuffed pastries called Samosas. 

Samosas are a deep-fried favorite African street food filled with potatoes and African spices. Samosas are the perfect street food meal on the go in Africa. 

Samoosas are a popular African street food recipe well-loved throughout the continent of Africa.
Samosas are the perfect meal on the go in Africa.
Street Food of Africa

Street food is ready-to-eat food sold by vendors in public places and is crucial to the African economy.

The culture and food of African street food would not be complete without including the African street food recipe of Samosa. Samosas are the perfect meal for on-the-go street food in Africa. Samosas are one of the most popular street foods in Africa, especially in countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and South Africa. But did you know that these crispy pastries have a long and fascinating history that spans continents and cultures?

The word samosa comes from the Persian term sanbosag, meaning 'triangular pastry'. The earliest mention of samosas dates back to the 10th century when they served as a delicacy in the courts of the Ghaznavid empire, which stretched from Iran to India. The samosas were filled with minced meat, nuts, dried fruits, and spices, and cooked over an open fire during travels.

Samosas were introduced to India by traders and chefs from Central Asia in the 13th or 14th century. They soon became a popular snack among the nobles and commoners alike and were adapted to suit the local tastes and ingredients. Spices such as pepper, ginger, and coriander were added to the filling, and vegetables such as potatoes, peas, and onions replaced some of the meat. The Portuguese also brought new ingredients such as green chili peppers and potatoes to India, which further enriched the samosa varieties.

Samosas spread to Africa along with Indian immigrants who settled in various parts of the continent. They also influenced the local cuisines and gave rise to new versions of samosas, such as the sambusa in Ethiopia and Somalia, which are usually filled with lentils, meat, or fish. Samosas are also known as samoosa in South Africa, where they are often served with chutney or ketchup.

Today, samosas are enjoyed by millions of people around the world, who appreciate their crispy texture and savory filling. They are a symbol of cultural exchange and diversity and a testament to the rich history of African street food.

Samosas are the perfect meal on the go in Africa. 

Make African street food spiced potato-stuffed pastries called Samosas.

Serves 4
African food
Total time from start to finish 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients
Dough
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ teaspoon salt

Filling
2 large potatoes, boiled mashed
1 hot pepper, finely chopped
1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped
Oil for frying

Directions
For the dough
Mix together the flour, oil, and salt. Add a little water, until the mixture becomes crumbly. Keep adding water, kneading the mixture till it becomes soft. Cover with a moist cloth and set aside for 30 minutes.

Heat ¼ cup of oil in a large frying pan on medium heat.

For the filling
In a large bowl add all filling ingredients.  Set aside to cool.
Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Use a rolling pin; roll a piece of dough into 4-inch ovals and cut it into two halves. 

Run a moist finger along the diameter. Roll around your finger to make a cone. Place a tablespoon of the filling into the cone. Seal the third side using a moist finger. Deep fry until golden brown. Serve with tomato sauce or chutney.


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