Give Your Iftar A Tasty Upgrade With Samosa Variations From Somalia, Turkey, Morocco & More

As soon as it’s time for iftar during Ramadan, one thing that you will find on almost every table in India is samosas. This crispy snack is a must-have after a long day of fasting, whether it’s spicy chicken, flavourful mutton keema, or the traditional aloo samosa. What’s interesting, though, is that samosas weren’t really invented in India.

Food historians believe that samosas came from the Middle East and Central Asia many centuries ago and travelled to the Indian subcontinent through ancient trade routes. Over time, different countries created their own versions of this savoury pastry by using local spices, meats, vegetables, and even cooking methods.

Instead of preparing the same old samosas every day during Ramadan, why not try some international variations? Here are some samosa-style snacks from around the world that you can try on your iftar platter this Ramadan:

Samosa Variations To Try This Ramadan

1. Sambouseh, Iran

In Iran, samosas are known as Sambouseh. These are usually smaller in size and extra crispy. The filling often includes minced meat, onions, and lots of fresh herbs. Unlike Indian samosas that are heavy on garam masala-style spices, Sambouseh tastes fresher because of the herbs used. They are often served with yoghurt dip or a tangy sauce. You can try this at home by adding chopped coriander, mint, and a squeeze of lemon juice to your regular chicken or mutton filling.

2. Sambuusa, Somalia

In Somalia, Sambuusa is one of the most popular Ramadan snacks. You will find them being sold everywhere just before iftar. They are usually made using thin pastry sheets, similar to spring roll wrappers. The filling can be spicy minced meat or even lentils for a vegetarian option. Because the outer layer is thinner, they turn out to be extra crunchy and not too heavy. At home, you can simply use spring roll sheets instead of regular samosa dough to recreate this version.

3. Samsa, Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, you will find Samsa, which is believed to be one of the oldest versions of the samosa. The biggest difference is that these are baked instead of deep-fried. They are usually filled with minced lamb, onions, and simple spices like black pepper. Since they are baked in an oven or tandoor, they are lighter and slightly flaky. If you want a healthier iftar option this Ramadan, try baking your samosas instead of frying them. 

Also Read: How Are Sehri And Iftar Celebrated In Different Countries Across The World?

4. Börek, Turkey

Turkey has its own version of stuffed pastry called Börek. Instead of using thick dough, Börek is made with thin phyllo sheets. These are layered and filled with ingredients like minced meat, spinach, cheese, or potatoes, and then baked. It turns out flaky, crispy, and very light. You can try making mini samosa rolls using phyllo sheets and stuffing them with your favourite filling for a Börek-style snack on your iftar table.

5. Briouat, Morocco

Morocco offers something very unique with Briouat. Some Briouats are savoury and filled with spiced chicken, herbs, and even crushed almonds. Others are sweet, filled with almond paste, fried, and dipped in honey. If you want to experiment this Ramadan, try making a sweet version by stuffing khoya, dry fruits, or coconut inside samosa sheets and drizzling honey on top after frying.

6. Pastel, Indonesia

In Indonesia, Pastel is a popular snack that looks quite similar to a samosa but is shaped like a half-moon. It is usually filled with chicken, vegetables, glass noodles, and sometimes even boiled eggs. It has a milder, slightly sweeter flavour than Indian samosas. For an Indonesian-style twist, consider incorporating cooked vermicelli, finely chopped carrots, beans, and shredded chicken into your filling.

7. Chamuça, Goa

Goa is home to the Portuguese-inspired samosa variety known as chamuça. These often contain meat that has been marinated in vinegar and spices, which gives it a tangy flavour. This can be replicated by adding vinegar or lemon juice to your chicken filling before cooking.

Staying together, sharing meals, and trying new things while upholding traditions are the primary goals of Ramadan. Make your favourite samosas more international this year instead of giving them up. Instead of frying them, you can bake them, try a sweet or tangy filling, or add herbs for a new taste. Your iftar will never be dull again if you serve different samosa variations each week of Ramadan!

So, which global samosa are you going to try first this Ramadan?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/Nadin Sh and Canva/fascinadora