Samosas and pasties are two very different foods. Both of these traditional cuisines come from Indian and British roots respectively. While both dishes are similar in that they are triangular pies, their taste and appearance is drastically different. In this blog post, we will take a look at the differences between samosas and pasties, as well as how to make them!
Samosa vs Pasty: What’s the Difference?
A samosa is a fried or baked dish made with dough that is usually filled with a mixture of various vegetables and spicy sauces, such as potatoes, peas, onions, and lentils. A pasty, on the other hand, is a traditional English food made from a pie crust-like dough that is usually filled with beef and vegetables.
The difference between a samosa and pasty is in their ingredients. Samosas are typically fried or baked while pasties are usually boiled in hot water before being baked in the oven. Additionally, pasties do not contain any vegetables whereas nearly every samosa has some kind of vegetable filling.
Similarities
The main similarity between samosas and pasties is the shape. Both are triangular shaped pastries, but that’s where the similarities end.
Samosas are made with potatoes, peas, onions, spices, and are often served with chutney. The dough for this dish is deep fried, then baked or steamed to finish cooking. Pasties are typically crescent-shaped and filled with meat and vegetables. They’re also deep fried before baking or boiling to finish cooking.
Differences
The first and most obvious difference between samosas and pasties is their appearance. Whilst pasties are usually a semi-circle with a crimped edge, samosas are triangular shaped pies that can be either fried or baked.
The filling of pasties is usually made from beef, pork or mutton whereas samosas typically have a spicy potato filling. In terms of taste, the filling in a samosa is more spicy than, say, a pasty which has a more savory meat filling.
Conclusion
A samosa is a triangle-shaped fried or baked pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, onions, and sometimes ground lamb, ground beef, or chicken. It is a popular dish from the Indian subcontinent.
A pasty is a savory pie that is traditionally filled with meat and vegetables. It is often made with butter or lard, flour, salt and water. The crust can be made of pastry, but today in the United States it is usually made of dough.