Vada

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A savory Indian snack made from legumes or potatoes, typically shaped into a round patty and fried until crisp; a type of fritter commonly served with chutneys or sambar; a traditional South Asian food item enjoyed as breakfast or a snack
2. A deep-fried dish originating from Indian cuisine, composed mainly of ground lentils or vegetables formed into a doughnut-like shape; a common accompaniment to spicy accompaniments or dips; often eaten during festivals or as street food
3. A popular edible preparation in Indian food culture made by frying a seasoned batter of pulses or root vegetables into a crisp, circular form; served hot with various condiments; frequently consumed as a light meal or appetizer

Etymology: Before it became a snack in Indian kitchens, this food's name was borne by the vaṛā, the Hindi term from which English took the word. The dish itself is a fried cake of seasoned batter, usually made from lentils or split peas, though potato and other vegetables are also common. Its spelling in English, with a single "d," reflects the way the Hindi word was adapted. The same spelling also appears in Sabir, the Mediterranean lingua franca that mixed Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, and Arabic. There, "vada" comes ultimately from the Italian "vedere," meaning "to see." That Sabir word has nothing to do with the fried snack. The two only coincide on the page, because one is a loan from Hindi and the other descends from Italian.

Synonyms: fritter, savory doughnut, medu vada, lentil donut