Top News Desk: “Let’s have a chat with friends, but no samucha!” This is what food enthusiasts, especially Bengalis, say every day. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, office meetings, or a light evening snack with loved ones, samucha plays a significant role everywhere. So, whether it’s the office canteen, a street food stall, or a fancy restaurant, you can find this delectable food everywhere.
Today is a special day for samucha lovers because it’s World Samucha Day on September 5th. Samucha is a triangular snack made with fried pastry filled with a mixture of vegetables like onions, potatoes, peas, and more. It’s a popular dish not only in Bangladesh but also in India, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa, and the Middle East.
Many believe that the origin of this popular dish can be traced back to India. However, samucha’s arrival in the Middle East dates back to the 10th century, long before it reached India. Historical records mention samucha in gastronomic literature from the Middle Ages. It is even described in ancient Persian texts as “sanbosag,” suggesting the concept of a pastry filled with a mixture similar to samucha. Historical accounts also mention variations like “sabusak” and small meat-filled “sanbusaj” served by traveling merchants at campfires.
According to these sources, merchants from Central Asia traveled to North Africa, East Asia, and South Asia during the 14th century, bringing samucha with them wherever they went.
In the 14th century, when Ibn Battuta traveled to India, he documented a dish at the court of Muhammad bin Tughluq, describing it as a triangular pastry filled with minced meat, peas, pistachios, and almonds.
In conclusion, the journey of samucha spans centuries and continents, originating in Central Asia and traveling through various regions before becoming the beloved snack it is today.
Report by: Habiba Sultana
