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Samosa

समोसा
suh-MOH-sah

Samosa (समोसा) is a Persian-origin word used in Indian English, meaning deep-fried savoury pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas or meat. In crosswords it is the 6-letter answer SAMOSA (6).

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Meaning & usage

A samosa is a triangular pastry parcel — a thin wheat shell folded around a spiced filling and deep-fried until crisp and amber. The classic Indian filling is a potato-and-pea masala with cumin and amchoor; meat samosas (keema) are common in Mughlai cooking. The samosa's ancestor, the Central Asian "sambusa", travelled the trade routes; today the form is at home from Delhi to Durban.

In a sentence

Two samosas and a glass of chai is the standard four-o'clock break.

Common spelling variants

  • Sambusa
  • Samoosa

Samosa is the English spelling used in MG Mini puzzles.

Samosa as a crossword answer

Samosa is a 6-letter answer. A typical clue:

“Deep-fried savoury pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas or meat” (6)

Category: Food Origin: Persian Script: Hindi

Related words

  • Vada — A savory Indian fritter made from legumes or potatoes.
  • Dosa — Thin, crisp South Indian crêpe made from fermented rice and lentil batter.
  • Biryani — Fragrant layered rice dish with meat or vegetables, slow-cooked with whole spices.
  • Naan — Soft, leavened flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor (clay oven).
  • Paneer — Fresh, unaged Indian cheese — the vegetarian protein of the north.
  • Lassi — Punjabi yoghurt drink, blended sweet or salted and chilled.

Related crosswords

Puzzles with a theme close to Samosa.

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