Sambusa (Tajik Pumpkin and Onion Pastries)
Local name: Самбӯса
In short: Triangular baked pastries filled with finely diced sweet pumpkin, onion and cumin. Sold hot from bakers' ovens and kiosks across Tajikistan. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 50 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Sambusa are triangular pastries sold in Tajik bazaars and kiosks, usually still hot. Besides lamb, the most common filling is pumpkin and onion, which cooks into a soft, sweet, savory mixture with cumin and black pepper. The dough is simple and brushed with oil so it bakes golden and a little flaky. They are a snack on their own, or an accompaniment to soup and tea.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, salt, water and oil into a smooth dough. Knead for 8 minutes, cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan and cook the onions for 5 minutes. Add the pumpkin, salt, cumin and pepper and cook, stirring, for 8 to 10 minutes until just tender but not mushy. Cool completely.
- Roll the dough about 2 mm thick and cut into 10 cm (4 in) squares.
- Put a heaped tablespoon of filling on each square. Fold into a triangle, press the edges firmly together and crimp with a fork.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment. Place the pastries on them, brush with oil and sprinkle with sesame.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Cool for 5 minutes before eating.
Tips
- Make sure the filling is cool and fairly dry before filling the dough, or the pastries become soggy and may burst.
- If the pumpkin is very watery, cook the filling a few minutes longer over medium heat so the moisture evaporates before you fill the dough.
Questions and answers
Can I fry sambusa instead?
Yes. Fry them in oil at 175°C (350°F) for 3 to 4 minutes per side. They will be crisper and richer than the baked version.
Can I freeze sambusa?
Freeze the shaped, unbaked pastries on a tray, then bag them. Bake from frozen for about 35 minutes.
Are sambusa the same as samosa?
They are similar, but sambusa in Tajikistan use a simple wheat dough and are baked or fried with a pumpkin or meat filling, usually with cumin and no heavy spices.
How long does it take to make Sambusa (Tajik Pumpkin and Onion Pastries)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 50 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sambusa (Tajik Pumpkin and Onion Pastries)?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 590 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
