Sambos (Malagasy Samosas)
Updated: Aug 25
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings (makes 12-15 sambos)
Country of Origin
Madagascar
Description
Crispy, triangular fried pastries stuffed with spiced ground beef, garlic, scallions, and warm aromatic spices.
Presentation & How It's Eaten
Served hot as popular street snacks or appetizers alongside lemon wedges and fiery sakay hot sauce.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely diced
4 green onions, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tsp curry powder or massale spice
1 pack spring roll wrappers or samosa pastry sheets
2 tbsp flour mixed with 2 tbsp water (flour paste)
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Directions
Cook Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, garlic, and ginger until meat is browned.
Season: Add curry powder, green onions, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Assemble: Cut wrappers into long strips. Place a spoonful of filling at one end and fold diagonally back and forth to form a triangle. Seal edge with flour paste.
Fry: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot. Fry triangular sambos in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Optional
Fish Filling: Substitute ground beef with flaked canned tuna or cooked white fish.
Cooking Tips
Let filling cool completely before wrapping to prevent steam from making pastry dough soggy during folding.
Nutrition Facts
(Estimated per serving, based on 6 servings)
Calories: ~310 kcal
Total Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 380mg
Total Carbohydrates: 25g
Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 17g
Comments