A triangular fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, typically containing spiced potatoes, onions, peas, or meat. Popular as a snack or appetizer in South Asian cuisine.
From Hindi समोसा (samosā), possibly derived from Persian سنبوسه (sambūsa) or Arabic سنبوسج (sambūsaj). The word entered English in the 19th century through British encounters with Indian street food and restaurant culture.
The samosa actually traveled from the Middle East to India with medieval traders and invaders, then became so popular it's now considered quintessentially Indian! The triangular shape isn't just aesthetic - it's the most efficient way to seal the pastry and prevent the filling from leaking during frying.
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