World Samosa Day

I have heard of world Ice Cream Day (in July), World Donut Day (in June), World Pizza Day (in February), World Taco Day (in October) and many more days dedicated to food, but I had never heard of any day dedicated to Samosas. Samosas are the favorite food of my entire family, many of my friends, and even most of my coworkers! I just recently found out that World Samosa Day is coming up on September 5th this year.  This fun little pastry-type treat can be found at just about every South Asian restaurant.  It is usually a savory snack made with potatoes and vegetables or could have a meat or chicken filling.  It is deep fried deliciousness and can also be baked or put in an air-fryer as a healthier alternative. Samosas can be served alone as an appetizer or snack or as part of a larger meal. With its delicious flavor and crispy texture, it's no wonder that samosas are so popular!  

 
Many believe that the beloved snack item originated in India, but the earliest mentions of this meat filled triangle come from Iran where they were favored by travelers for their convenience.  "Sambosas" were easy to pack in saddlebags and eat during long journeys.  Soon they made their way into Indian cuisine and have become a staple in the food culture of South Asia. 

While more traditional fillings are either potatoes and peas or seasoned meat or chicken, updated versions of samosas can include cheeses and various types of vegetables. Thinly sliced carrots, cabbage, and noodles can also be a tasty alternative to potatoes. I tend to favor the more traditional potato filled samosa while my children enjoy the cheesy goodness of spinach and paneer (mild flavored cheese with a crumbly texture) filled samosas.  Making homemade samosas is a fun way to celebrate World Samosa Day (or any day, in my opinion). Choose your favorite filling, such as potatoes cooked with spices, veggies or minced meat. Make a dough from flour and water, then cut into triangles and fold in the filling.  Fry in oil until golden brown. 

If making homemade samosas is not your "thing," you can either order samosas from a local restaurant or buy frozen samosas at your local Indian grocery store.  There are many different types of frozen samosa brands so my favorite thing to do is to purchase a couple of different kinds and have a little taste test competition at home to decide which ones are the best.

Celebrate World Samosa Day on September 5th with friends and family!  Invite everyone over to enjoy delicious samosas, create your own recipes, and share in the global love of this tasty treat!

By Kaneeze of the Hightstown Branch