Bukharian Goshtgizhda

Bukharian Goshtgizhda

Goshtgizhda — from the Central Asian word for meat — is a meat and onion pastry, sometimes called samsa or Bukharian sambusak in Israel. The names and shapes overlap between families; here it is a round pocket of yeast dough, gathered closed with pleats and baked.

Prep time: 1 hour · Rising: 1 hour · Baking: 30 minutes · Yield: 16 · Difficulty: medium

Chopped onion, cold filling

The onion should be chopped, not ground, so it releases liquid during baking. Salt the filling only just before filling the pastries; salting early draws out water and makes them harder to seal.

Ingredients (for 16 pieces)

• 700 grams flour
• 8 grams dry yeast, 15 grams sugar, 12 grams salt
• 360–400 ml water
• 100 ml oil
• 800 grams beef, chopped or coarsely ground
• 150 grams chopped lamb fat, or an extra 120 grams of fatty beef
• 700 grams finely chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons cumin, black pepper and salt
• An egg and 20 grams sesame seeds for brushing

Choosing ingredients and substitutes

Chopped shoulder or chuck works. You can skip the lamb fat, but use 20% fat meat so it does not dry out. The name “samsa” is broader and also covers other doughs and shapes across Central Asia.

Method

1. Knead the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, water and 60 ml oil for 10 minutes. Let rise for an hour.
2. Mix the meat, fat, onion, the rest of the oil and the spices right before filling.
3. Divide the dough into 16, roll into 15 cm rounds and place about 100 grams of filling on each.
4. Gather the edges to the center, pleat firmly and place seam side down. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame.
5. Bake at 210°C (410°F) for 25–30 minutes. Check a pastry from the center of the pan: the filling should reach 71°C (160°F).

Nutrition facts and calorie estimate

Variations and tips

• A little liquid in the pan is normal, but a lot of liquid points to weak sealing.
• Cool for 10 minutes so the meat juices settle.
• Keeps for 3 days in the fridge; reheat thoroughly in the oven, not at room temperature.

Summary

A good goshtgizhda is a well-sealed pastry with juicy meat and noticeable onion. One piece is about 440 calories. For a balanced meal, add a Bukharian salad. Back to all Bukharian recipes.