Lentil Sambusas – An Ethiopian Treat
Lentil Sambusas – An Ethiopian Treat
Lentil Sambusas are crispy, savory pastries filled with a spiced lentil mixture, perfect as an appetizer or snack. This Ethiopian-inspired dish is similar to samosas and offers a delightful balance of flavors with jalapenos, cilantro, and aromatic spices wrapped in a crispy spring roll sheet.
Equipment
- Large Saucepan for boiling lentils
- Pan for sautéing
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Beluga lentils soaked overnight
- 1 ½ cups Puy lentils
- 4 jalapenos finely diced
- 4 onions finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic finely diced
- 1 cup cilantro finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds crushed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- About 10 spring roll sheets
- Olive oil for frying and brushing
Instructions
- Prep the Lentils:Soak the Beluga lentils overnight. The next morning, boil the lentils (Beluga and Puy) until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Filling:Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onions, garlic, and jalapenos until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Spice it Up:Add the crushed cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt to the sautéed vegetables. Stir and cook the spices for 2 minutes to release their flavors.
- Combine with Lentils:Add the boiled lentils to the pan and mix well. Let the mixture cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine. Adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and let it cool. Once cooled, stir in the chopped cilantro.
- Assemble the Sambusas:Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out a spring roll sheet, and dampen the edges with water using your fingers. Place a heaping teaspoon of the lentil filling in the center. Fold the sheet into a triangle, sealing the edges tightly. Repeat until all filling is used.
- Bake the Sambusas:Place the sambusas on a non-stick baking sheet and brush them liberally with olive oil on all sides. Bake for 6-10 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the sambusas and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until browned on the other side.
- Serve:Enjoy your Ethiopian-style lentil sambusas warm, served with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside other Ethiopian dishes.
Notes
- You can adjust the heat level by increasing or decreasing the number of jalapenos used.
- For a more traditional sambusa, you can fry them instead of baking. Simply heat oil in a deep fryer or skillet and fry until golden brown.
- These sambusas can be made ahead of time and frozen. Reheat in the oven when ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 9gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.5gSodium: 120mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 10gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 3mg
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