Name: Sambusa
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: Makes 8-10
Cuisine: Tanzanian
Ingredients: 250 ml water (adjust as needed); 1 small onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves of garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil or butter, melted; 240 g plain flour; 2 tbsp olive oil; ½ tsp salt; 1 x 200 g tin of tuna; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1 lemon, juiced; ½ tsp turmeric; Salt, to taste; ½ tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp tomato purée; 1 tsp ground coriander; Neutral oil, to deep fry

Preparation info

Makes
8-10

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
1 hr 20

Appears in

Radikal Kitchen

By Radhika Howarth

Published 2024

About

Sambusa is a popular snack and street food in Zanzibar, Tanzania. While the traditional filling often includes spiced potatoes, peas, or minced meat, fish sambusas are also common, particularly in coastal regions where seafood is in abundance. In Zanzibar, fish sambusas are typically made with a filling of finely chopped or flaked fish, seasoned with spices and herbs.

This recipe includes a tuna filling, inspired by the Spanish empanada.