Sambusas

Sambusas are a type of savory pastry that are popular in Somali cuisine. They are typically made by filling a thin dough with a variety of fillings, such as spiced ground meat, vegetables, or beans, and then deep frying or baking them until they are crispy and golden brown. Sambusas are often served as an appetizer or snack and are enjoyed with various dipping sauces or chutneys.

Recipe
Preparation tips
Serving size
Nutrition value
Types

To make sambusas at home, you will need:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
  • 1 cup of your choice of filling (such as minced meat, lentils, or vegetables)
  • Cooking oil for deep frying

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the oil and lukewarm water, and mix until a dough forms.
  2. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  3. Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into a thin circle, about 6 inches in diameter.
  5. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle.
  6. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together to seal the sambusas.
  7. Heat the cooking oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the sambusas to the pan, a few at a time.
  8. Fry the sambusas for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown.
  9. Remove the sambusas from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
  10. Serve the sambusas warm, with your choice of dipping sauce.Here is a simple recipe for the filling for sambusas:

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup minced beef or lamb
    • 1/2 cup diced onions
    • 1/4 cup diced carrots
    • 1/4 cup diced green bell peppers
    • 1/4 cup diced potatoes
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

    Instructions:

    1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
    2. Add the onions and cook until they are translucent.
    3. Add the minced meat and cook until it is browned.
    4. Add the carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, and garlic and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
    5. Stir in the cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper.
    6. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
    7. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
    8. Use the filling to fill the sambusas and then deep fry or bake as desired. Enjoy!

Tips for preparation of Sambusas

To make sambusas at home, you will need:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
  • 1 cup of your choice of filling (such as minced meat, lentils, or vegetables)
  • Cooking oil for deep frying

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the oil and lukewarm water, and mix until a dough forms.
  2. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  3. Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into a thin circle, about 6 inches in diameter.
  5. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle.
  6. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together to seal the sambusas.
  7. Heat the cooking oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the sambusas to the pan, a few at a time.
  8. Fry the sambusas for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown.
  9. Remove the sambusas from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
  10. Serve the sambusas warm, with your choice of dipping sauce.Here is a simple recipe for the filling for sambusas:

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup minced beef or lamb
    • 1/2 cup diced onions
    • 1/4 cup diced carrots
    • 1/4 cup diced green bell peppers
    • 1/4 cup diced potatoes
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

    Instructions:

    1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
    2. Add the onions and cook until they are translucent.
    3. Add the minced meat and cook until it is browned.
    4. Add the carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, and garlic and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
    5. Stir in the cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper.
    6. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
    7. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
    8. Use the filling to fill the sambusas and then deep fry or bake as desired. Enjoy!

Sambusas serving size

Generally, sambusas are served as a snack or appetizer and are often served in small quantities. You may want to consider serving 3-4 sambusas per person if serving as an appetizer, or 2-3 sambusas per person if serving as a snack.

Sambusas nutrition value

In general, sambusas are a high-calorie, high-fat food, and should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Some common ingredients in sambusas include meat, vegetables, and spices, which can contribute various amounts of nutrients such as protein, fiber, and vitamins.

The dough for the sambusas can be made with flour, water, and oil, which will contribute to the calorie, protein, and fat content of the finished sambusas.

More Sambusas types