Have a Tasty Snack

Europe

Lithuania

Kepta duona is a simple snack that is prepared with slices of rye bread fried until crispy. The bread is sliced into thin strips and rubbed with garlic before frying.

Hungary

Pogacsa is a popular snack that consists of small, bite-sized pasty. There are both savory and sweet varieties. One of the varieties includes cheese, cabbage, potatoes, bacon, and pumpkin seeds in pastry. Traditionally these pastries are round.

Romania

Bultz are made with cooked polenta which is shaped into balls. The common filling is butter and soft sheep’s cheese. The filling can include bacon or ham and then the polenta balls are pan-fried, baked, or grilled until the outside has a charred crust.

Turkey

Tantuni includes lavash that is rolled with ingredients like thinly sliced beef or lamb seasoned with Turkish spices and herbs. Usually cooked with onions and tomatoes.

Greece

Tiropita is a popular Greek snack. It is made with phyllo sheet dough. The dough is filled with cheese like feta and eggs. The dough is wrapped in triangular pieces, brushed with butter, and baked golden brown.

Keftedakia are tender Greek meatballs. These are prepared with ground pork, beef, eggs, stale bread or breadcrumbs, and seasonings like dill, pepper, parsley, and oregano. Once the ingredients are combined they are shaped into small balls and fried in olive oil.

Italy

Panzerotti are crescent-shaped turnovers. A dough is prepared and the panzerotti are filled with tomatoes and mozzarella. They’re deep-fried. They can also include other ingredients like pepperoni.

Spain

Croquetas are traditional Spanish fritters. They’re made with a buttery bechamel base which is well-chilled and formed into or round cylindrical patties. The patties include ham or shredded chicken and can include other ingredients like shrimp or mushrooms. Once the ingredients are incorporated they are coated in egg wash and breadcrumbs then fried crispy and golden.

Asia

China

Guouti are the pan-fried variety of Chinese jiaozi dumplings. These dumplings are filled with a mixture of minced pork, Chinese cabbage, scallions, ginger, rice wine, and sesame seed oil. The dumpling dough is prepared from flour and water. Once rolled out the dough is cut out in circles and the mixture is placed in each circle and then pressed together. A pan is heated with hot oil and then the dumplings are fried.

Indonesia

Among the famous snacks is batagor. This is a fried fish dumpling that is served in a traditional spice sauce. The most common fish used is whaoo, but tuna, mackerel, and prawns. Additional ingredients can be potatoes, tofu, or cabbage. Once fried the dumplings are cut into bite-sized pieces and covered in peanut, soy, and chili sauce with a splash of lime juice.

India

Samosa are deep-fried triangular pastries that are filled with a variety of ingredients. Among the ingredients used are ground meat, onions, lentils, spice potatoes, or peas.

Tibet

Smacked cucumber is a traditional Asian dish most popular in Tibet. Peeled cucumbers are sliced into chunks and then smacked with a rolling pin so they’re bruised and breaking apart. They’re combined with garlic, sesame oil, black vinegar, and soy sauce.

Japan

Hamamatsu is a popular variety of Japanese gyoza. It is filled with pork, onions, cabbage, and seasonings. The prepared gyoza are fried so that the crispy bottoms connect all the gyoza.

Malaysia

Karipup is a curry puff that has been deep-fried or baked. The prepared pastry shells are filled with a thick chicken and potato curry. It has become a popular breakfast or afternoon snack.

Lebanon

Fatayer is an Arabian specialty. Pockets of dough are filled with ingredients like spinach, cheese, meats such as chicken, beef, or lamb, and potatoes. Once the pockets are formed they can be fried or baked.

South America

Paraguay

Pastel mandi’o is a snack that is prepared with dough made with corn flour, boiled cassava, fat, and eggs. Then the dough is stuffed with minced meat, boiled eggs, and seasoning. These are fried and served hot.

Brazil

Coxinha is a crispy croquette. These croquettes are made with ground chicken and cream cheese. They are shaped into balls resembling chicken drumsticks, then breaded and deep-fried.

Argentina

Empanadas are made with a dough made with wheat flour. The dough is rolled thin and folded over a filling of ground beef, onions, and spices. Other ingredients can be included. Then the empanadas are baked or fried golden brown.

Venezuela

Tequenos are a traditional snack prepared with fried wonton wrappers or empanada dough filled with cheese.