Samsa

Name: Samsa
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Uzbekistan
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup water; 1 lb lamb, finely diced (or ground); 2 onions, finely diced; 1 tsp cumin; 2 tbsp butter, softened; 1 egg, beaten, for brushing; Sesame seeds, for topping; Salt and pepper, to taste

6 servings40 min prep30 min cookMedium Uzbekistan

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Samsa

Story updated September 17, 2026

Samsa, baked savory pastries, share lineage with the broader samosa family that spread from Central Asia and Persia across South Asia and the Middle East, with Uzbekistan's version traditionally baked in a tandyr clay oven rather than fried. It's a beloved street food across Uzbekistan.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1 lb lamb, finely diced (or ground)
2 onions, finely diced
1 tsp cumin
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 egg, beaten, for brushing
Sesame seeds, for topping
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1Knead flour, salt, and water into a smooth dough; rest covered for 30 minutes.
2Mix the diced lamb with onions, cumin, salt, and pepper for the filling.
3Roll the dough thin and cut into squares or circles.
4Place a spoonful of filling and a small pat of butter in the center of each piece, then fold into triangles or envelopes, sealing well.
5Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
6Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until deep golden brown and crisp.
7Serve hot.

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