Tea time snacks in India are typically associated with deep-fried, hot foods that can be eaten on the go. I mean, who could say no to a plate of hot bhajiyas or freshly fried samosas, right? As one of the most common and popular snacks across the country, this fried pastry encasing a filling, interestingly has Middle Eastern origins. Various regions around the world have their own variation of flaky dough that encases sweet and savoury ingredients that make up one delicious bite. If you’re a samosa lover, here are right unique and delicious fillings you must try them with.
Keema Samosa
A minced meat filling that is spiced with warm flavours like cloves, cinnamon and paprika, the keema samosa is a meaty treat that is perfect for all meat lovers. Typically the kind of street food that is served during the Ramadan period, it tastes best when eaten with a spicy green chutney or ketchup.
Nariyal Ka Samosa
This sweet offering that contains a filling made with freshly grated coconut and jaggery, these samosas taste almost like your favourite coconut-chocolate bar, but deep-fried. Prepared during auspicious occasions or festivals, the shell of these samosas are slightly crunchier than the savoury ones.
Irani Samosa
Also known as patti samosa, or shell made with a single strip of pastry, the flavours of this samosa range from a jammy sweet to a savoury-spicy. Crisped to perfection with a filling made of sliced and sauteed onions, these samosas are perfect when accompanied with a strong cup of tea or coffee.
Noodle Samosa
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A Chindian offering, the noodle samosa is essentially what the name suggests – stir-fried noodles stuffed into flaky dough and deep-fried to golden perfection. Great to eat as a snack between sips of your cocktail at a party or even as an evening snack, noodle samosas are as delicious as they come.
Chocolate Samosa
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Although the idea of a sweet samosa filled with molten chocolate might seem bizarre at first, chocolate samosas are just encased pastry bites. Perfect when eaten hot, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate samosas are a unique way of eating dessert with a desi twist.
Cauliflower Samosa
A popular street food offering from the city of joy, the phulkopir singhara is one of the more popular samosa offerings in Kolkata. A delicious Bengali version with a hot and spicy cauliflower filling, it makes for a great vegetarian alternative to the minced meat ones.
Khoya Samosa
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Made with a concentrated version of evaporated milk solids and sugar, the khoya samosa is a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy that is a popular sweetmeat found in most mithai shops across India. Unlike most other samosas, the khoya samosa is also dunked in a saffron-infused sugar syrup once fried.
Spinach & Cheese Samosas
Deliciously savoury and gooey, these samosas make for the perfect high-tea accompaniment as small bites. Filled with sauteed garlicky spinach and a mixture of mozzarella and feta cheese, these samosas have a Greek-inspired flavour base similar to that of a spanakopita (spinach and cheese filo pie).