Crispy triangular pastries stuffed with spiced minced beef and onions, deep-fried until golden and served as a popular Tanzanian appetizer.
Nutrition & Info
Allergen Warnings
Equipment Needed
Presentation Guide
Vessel: paper-lined plate
Garnishes: lime wedge
Accompaniments: tamarind chutney, chili sauce
Instructions
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1
Make a stiff dough with flour, water, oil, and salt, knead well and rest thirty minutes.
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2
Brown ground beef with onions, cumin, coriander, chili, salt, and pepper until cooked.
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3
Roll dough thin, cut into strips, and fold into triangular pockets.
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4
Fill each pocket with a spoonful of meat mixture, seal edges with water.
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5
Deep fry in hot oil at 170C until golden brown and crispy, about four minutes.
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6
Drain and serve hot with tamarind chutney or chili sauce.
Did You Know?
During Ramadan in Tanzania, sambusa vendors set up special stalls and sell thousands before iftar each evening.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- deep pot for frying
- rolling pin
- cutting board
Garnishing
lime wedge
Accompaniments
tamarind chutney, chili sauce
The Story Behind Sambusa
The Tanzanian sambusa traces its lineage to the samosa tradition carried across the Indian Ocean by Arab and Indian traders. Swahili cooks adapted the dish with local spicing, creating a version that is now inseparable from Tanzanian food culture. Sambusas are particularly important during Ramadan, when they appear on virtually every iftar table, and they remain one of the most popular street foods year-round.
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