somsa

Uzbekistan · Central Asia

Short description: This baked meat pastry has a crisp outside, juicy onion-heavy filling, and often sesame on top.
Ingredients: Wheat-flour dough filled with lamb or beef, onion, cumin, black pepper, salt, egg wash, sesame, and oil.
Cultural note: Street stalls and ovens sell the pastries hot, where the sealed dough keeps the meat filling moist.
Common misconception: It is not only a fried snack; many versions are baked until the pastry turns glossy and crisp.

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