The history of the samosa dates back to the 9th Century when it was praised in a verse by the Persian poet Ishaq al-Mawsili. It was later chronicled by the Iranian historian Abu’l-Fadl Bayhaqi in his book Tarikh-e-Bayhaqi. It is said that this snack originated in Central Asia and was introduced in India during the Muslim rule. Made in various shapes, it is the triangle, however, that has become its identity. Although available throughout the year in India, during the month of Ramadan, the samosa becomes an integral part of iftar (evening meal) and Bengaluru has some unique variants on offer. Here’s a closer look:
Sambousek
The Lebanese version of the samosa is not triangular in shape. The Sambousek is shaped like a half moon with a crimped border and the most authentic ones are available at Layla - The Den Bengaluru. The stuffing, made with chickpeas, Greek yogurt and Mediterranean spices, is wrapped in semi-circular wheat sheets. Rs 499++ per platter. At Whitefield
Bohri samosa
The samosas made by the Bohri Muslim community are popular because of their small size. The smoked mutton kheema stuffing also makes this snack from the Bhatiyar Gully of Ahmedabad, the perfect accompaniment for chai. Sample them at KA01, at Ibis City Center. Rs 265 upwards. At Richmond Road
Happy Blankets
Ghiza Kitchen has carved a niche for itself with its Afghanistani and Pakistani dishes. During the month of Ramadan, this home-run kitchen serves Happy Blankets. These square samosas are inspired by the original square ones from Burns Road in Karachi. Stuffed with minced chicken, they are served with a topping of cheese. To try these, book a slot for the Iftaar Fest happening this week. Rs 1,850. At Thanisandra Main Road
Warqi samosa
The uniqueness of the Warqi Samosa is its multiple wafer-thin layers. Crunchy and flaky, these samosas are not easy to make. Every layer of the puff pastry sheet has to be rolled out to the perfect thinness before the minced mutton is added. That’s what Anisa’s Kitchen is known for. Anisa Siraj’s samosas are always in demand and are not available off-the-shelf. Order them a day in advance. Rs 45. At Frazer Town
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