Empanadas and samosas are two of the most popular snacks in the world, but do you know the differences between them?
Can you spot the subtle distinctions that make these two treats unique?
Read on to find out more!
Read more: What to Do With Leftover Boiled Shrimp
What is an empanada?
In simple terms, an empanada is a stuffed pastry. It is made by folding a dough or bread dough over a filling, which can be sweet or savory. The empanada is then baked or fried.
This food is now popular in Spain, Portugal, Latin America, the Philippines, and the US.
What is a samosa?
A samosa is also a stuffed pastry, but it has a distinct triangular shape. The filling of a samosa is typically a mixture of potatoes, peas, and onions.
It is believed to have originated in Central Asia, and it is now popular in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Empanadas vs Samosas: The Main Differences
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Origins
The very beginning of the empanada is unknown, but it is thought to have originated in Spain or Portugal. On the other hand, samosas can be traced back to Central Asia.
The Spanish and Portuguese colonizers might have brought the empanada to Latin America, which could explain its popularity in that region today. However, the samosa was introduced to South Asia by Middle Eastern and Central Asian traders.
Shape
Empanadas can come in different shapes, but they are typically semicircular or crescent-shaped. Samosas always have a distinct triangular shape.
The shape of the empanadas allows them to be easily portable, which could be why they became popular in regions like Latin America and the US. The triangular shape of the samosa makes it a perfect fit for dipping into sauces.
Filling
The fillings of an empanada and a samosa can be quite different. Empanadas can have sweet or savory fillings, while samosas are usually filled with a mixture of potatoes, peas, and onions.
However, there is some overlap in the fillings used for these two snacks. For example, both empanadas and samosas can be filled with beef, chicken, or cheese.
Cooking method
Empanadas are typically baked or fried. Samosas, on the other hand, are usually deep-fried.
This is one of the main reasons samosas are often considered to be a less healthy snack than empanadas.
Dough
The dough used for empanadas is usually unleavened, while the dough for samosas is usually leavened.
This means that the dough for empanadas does not contain any baking powder or soda, while the dough for samosas does. So empanadas are usually flatter and denser than samosas.
Taste
When it comes to the taste of these dishes, you will often find that empanadas are sweeter than samosas. This is because of the difference in the dough and the fillings that are typically used.
Empanadas often have fruit or chocolate as a filling, while samosas usually have savory fillings. People usually enjoy eating samosas with a spicy chutney or sauce, while empanadas are often eaten on their own.
Cost
The cost of these two snacks can also vary depending on the region.
Although, often, samosas are cheaper than empanadas. Because they are usually made with cheaper ingredients, they can be sold for less money.
Empanadas, on the other hand, often use more expensive fillings and require more time to make.
Nutritional values
If you’re curious, each serving of an empanada has about 245 calories and 10g of fat. A serving of a samosa, on the other hand, has about 260 calories and 11g of fat.
So, overall, samosas are a bit more caloric than empanadas, but they both have around the same amount of fat.
Popularity
Empanadas are more popular than samosas in the United States. This is likely because they were introduced to this country by Spanish and Portuguese colonizers in the past.
Samosas, on the other hand, are more popular in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Which one tastes better?
It is hard to say which of these two dishes tastes better. It really depends on your personal preferences.
If you like sweet snacks, then you might prefer empanadas. If you like savory snacks, then you might prefer samosas.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which one you like better, so try both of these snacks so you can make an informed decision.
My personal choice, in this case, is the samosa because I like the filling and the dipping sauces that come with it.
Tips for making empanadas
If you want to make your own empanadas, here are a few tips:
- The dough should be kept cold while you are working with it. This will help make it easier to work with.
- Try not to overfill the empanadas. If you do, they will be difficult to seal, and they might burst while they are baking.
- Be sure to seal the empanadas well. You can use a fork to press the edges together, or you can crimp them with your fingers.
- If you want, you can brush the tops of the empanadas with an egg wash before you bake them. This will give them a nice golden color.
- Empanadas can be baked or fried. If you choose to fry them, be sure to use enough oil so that they are fully submerged. Otherwise, they will not cook evenly.
- Let the empanadas cool for a few minutes before you eat them. This will help prevent burns.
Tips for making samosas
Here are some tips of mine to help you make the best samosas:
- The dough for samosas should be rolled out very thin. This will help make them crispy.
- Be sure to add enough oil to the frying pan so that the samosas are fully submerged. Otherwise, they will not cook evenly.
- Samosas can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular choices include chutney, ketchup, or yogurt.
- Let the samosas cool for a few minutes before you eat them. This will help prevent burns.
Empanadas vs samosas conclusion
As you can see, there are many differences between these two snacks. They come from different parts of the world, they have a variety of doughs and fillings, and they each taste unique.
If you’re looking for a delicious and affordable snack, I would recommend trying both empanadas and samosas. You might find that you like one better than the other, or you might like them both equally.
Whichever you choose, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them!
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