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Yummy, but...

Healthful samosas are hard to come by

STUFFED DELIGHTS Samosas are high in salt

Biting into aloo-stuffed samosas with a dash of mint chutney and following it up with piping hot chai is an established ritual of office life and college life in India.

Samosas usually have vegetarian stuffings made from seasoned potatoes, cauliflower, green peas, onions and herbs, with the occasional dash of limejuice. Some varieties have meat stuffings. The smaller varieties, served along with tea in Irani cafes, have grated onion stuffings.

The calories in samosa depend on its size, stuffing and frying medium. Generally, the larger ones can have up to 350 calories. The smaller ones have around 150 calories. Healthy samosas are hard to come by. However, some Indian takeaways in the West have come up with baked versions and samosas deep-fried in olestra, a low calorie oil substitute. Samosas served in Indian restaurants and cafes are usually fried in oil that has been used and re-used. This oil is brimming with trans-fats that can cause cancer and atherosclerosis. Samosas also contains too much salt. Diabetics, heart disease patients and weight watchers would benefit from a little caution when it comes to this snack.

RAJIV M

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