Local 'halwaais' frying mouthwatering samosas in huge kadhai is a common sight in nearly any part of India. Golden brown and crispy on the outside and soft and spicy on the inside Punjabi Samosas taste as good as they look.
The traditional Punjabi Samosa is large and its filling is mainly made up of potatoes and peas. You can even add chopped cashew nuts and raisins to make them a rich and tasty snack.
For that extra zing you can also add some anardaana or black salt to the filling mixture. Also, while frying adjust the flame as needed for different batches as the oil should be medium hot and do not overcrowd the pan.
No, this is not healthy. Let's see why.
Let's understand the Ingredients.
What's good.
1. Green Peas : Green peas are good for weight loss, good source of vegetarian protein, has insoluble fibre to relieve constipation. Legumes like green peas, cow peas, mung, chick peas and kidney beans have a cholesterol lowering effect. Green Peas are rich in Vitamin K which aids in bone metabolism. Is green peas good for diabetics and see full benefits of green peas.
What's the problem?
1. Plain flour (maida) : This recipe uses plain flour or maida which is refined carb not suitable for healthy lifestyle. Maida consumption in any food should be totally avoided or just a little bit of usage as any consumption of this will cause a larger spike in blood levels which is not good for diabetics, heart patients. Read is maida good for you to understand fully.
2. Potatoes (Aloo) : Potatoes being high in simple carbohydrates will lead to weight gain and are not good for people with diabetes, heart problem and obesity. Potatoes are recommended for malnourished children and people with low weight. See full details on why potatoes are bad for you.
3. Deep fried foods : This samosa is deep fried. Any food that is deep fried is not suitable for healthy living. Your fat levels increase as deep frying increases oil absorption. Also when you use the same oil again for deep frying then smoking point decreases which leads to the development of blue smoke which is not good for health. It also increases inflammation in the body and shuts down the fat burning process.
Can diabetics, heart patients and over weight individuals have Punjabi Samosa ?
No, this recipe is not good for diabetics, heart and weight loss. We all love Punjabi Samosa but sadly it has 3 killer issues in them. Plain flour, potatoes to make the samosa and then the samosa is deep fried. Any food that is deep fried is not suitable for healthy living. Your fat levels increase as deep frying increases oil absorption.
You can have Baked methi muthia recipe as an option.
Can healthy individuals have Punjabi Samosa ?
No, this recipe is not healthy.