Trader Joe’s frozen vegetable samosas ($2.99 for 12), made in India, come pretty close to the from-scratch versions Indian children are raised on. These pyramid-shaped fried dumplings have a crispy, whole-wheat pastry and typically are filled with potatoes and peas, grated vegetables, or minced chicken or lamb, then served with tamarind and mint chutneys. Small, bite-size samosas are popular as appetizers and the slightly larger ones as snacks. Samosa aficionados might endorse only a freshly fried dumpling but the Trader Joe’s version will fill the gap while you wait for grandma to visit and make some. In these, cauliflower, potatoes, and green vegetables are flavored with a complex blend of spices. The cocktail-size samosas will turn flaky again in a hot oven. Alas, chutneys not included.
Available at Trader Joe’s locations.