| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 240 | 6g | 1g | 39g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 6g | 8g | 0.6g |
Why I Love Spanish Vegetable Samosas
Samosas are a beloved dish worldwide, modified to fit local palates and ingredients. For this recipe, we’re looking at Vegetable Samosas, a delightful and light fusion treat that has a special place in my heart. As a Californian of Gujarati heritage, I’ve developed a taste that marries my Indian roots with a fresh West Coast sensibility. This recipe is that perfect blend.
The East meets West Creation
It might surprise some to learn that this dish is Spanish-influenced and not initially Indian. However, a similar dish exists in traditional Gujarati cuisine called dabeli, a spicy snack made with boiled potatoes and a special dabeli masala. While dabeli is more of a sandwich, the stuffing reminds me very much of the delicious filling in these Vegetable Samosas. The incorporation of olive oil and wonton wrappers gives these samosas a worldly feel.
The Culinary Inspiration
Every recipe has its backstory, and some are inspired by legendary chefs. For this recipe, the essence and vibrance come from my own kitchen and culinary journey, however one cannot ignore the global influences of Chef Jose Andres’s take on Spanish cuisine, which opened my eyes to the richness and versatility of Spanish ingredients.
Can you imagine biting into the crispy wonton wrapper only to be greeted by a warm, spicy and aromatic blend of vegetables? The humble ingredients in this recipe work seamlessly together to create a burst of flavors – the crunch of the carrots, the softness of the potatoes, the sweetness of the peas, and the special kick from the combination of turmeric, cumin, garlic, ginger, and Garam Masala. The smoothened texture olive oil provides simply ties everything together, with the cilantro giving that refreshing aftertaste.
Food Pairing for Vegetable Samosas
While these samosas are delicious enough to stand alone, they also complement a variety of dishes very well. They are great as appetizers for a heavy main course, such as Beef Paella or can be served alongside a refreshing chilled Spanish Gazpacho for a light summer meal. Remember, the key to food pairing is balance, you don’t want any one dish to overpower the other.
Whichever way you choose to enjoy these Vegetable Samosas be prepared for an exciting culinary adventure that’s both deeply satisfying and refreshingly unique. A dish that showcases not only your cooking skills but also the beautiful fusion of flavors from the east and west.
What You’ll Need
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 2 small potatoes, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- Oil for frying
Method
Step One
Begin by heating up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add in the diced onion and sauté until it begins to brown and soften. This should take around 4-5 minutes.
Step Two
Next, add in the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan with the onions. Stir and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step Three
Add in the turmeric, ground cumin, and Garam Masala to the pan. Stir well to combine and cook for another minute, allowing the spices to bloom.
Step Four
Add the diced potatoes, carrots, and frozen green peas to the pan. Stir well to ensure that the vegetables are fully coated in the spices.
Step Five
Pour in the vegetable broth and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cover the pan and let everything simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Step Six
Once the potatoes are cooked through, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro.
Step Seven
Let the vegetable mixture cool slightly before proceeding to the next step. In the meantime, separate your wonton wrappers and get ready to assemble the samosas.
Step Eight
Place a small amount of the vegetable filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Fold the wrapper over the filling to form a triangle shape and pinch the edges to seal. Repeat this process until all of the filling is used.
Step Nine
Heat up a large amount of oil in a deep fryer or large pot to about 375°F (190°C). Once the oil is hot, add in the samosas a few at a time and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Step Ten
Remove the samosas from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Continue frying the rest of the samosas in batches. Let them cool slightly before serving, and enjoy!
