empanada
empanada, baked or fried pastry stuffed with any of a variety of fillings, such as meat, cheese, vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients. Empanadas can be found around the world, especially in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. They are made by folding a sheet of dough over the filling and sealing it before cooking. The origin of the empanada is uncertain, and the food may have evolved from Middle Eastern pastries that spread to the Iberian Peninsula with the Muslim conquest of Spain. The name comes from the Spanish word empanar, which means “to roll or cover with dough or bread.” Cheap and portable, empanadas are a popular street food and can be eaten as an appetizer, snack, or even a whole meal.
Empanada dough is typically made of wheat flour and a fat (such as lard or butter) and is often airy and flaky like puff pastry or pie crust. Regional variations reflect an area’s available produce and food preferences. For example, corn (maize) dough is common in Venezuela and Colombia, and doughs of cassava or plantain can be found in the Caribbean and elsewhere. The shape is often a half-moon, with rectangular and round forms common in certain areas. The edges of the dough may be joined in a number of creative, beautiful, or utilitarian styles, such as twists or markings with the tines of a fork. The type of seam, or the addition of extra dough or branding, can be used to indicate the filling.
Fillings are highly regional with countless variations. Cheese and onion, spinach, or corn are popular vegetarian options. Beef combinations are myriad. In Buenos Aires, for example, a ground beef filling is prepared with onion, bell pepper, hard-boiled egg, and sometimes raisins. In Venezuela, a pabellón empanada contains shredded beef, black beans, and fried sweet plantains. Chopped or shredded chicken or pork combinations, as well as seafood options including fish, mussels, clams, shrimp, and even shark, are also popular. Savory empanadas are often accompanied with specific dipping sauces, such as avocado salsas and guacamole, spicy tomato-based sauces, or herb and garlic sauces. Sweet empanadas are generally a more modern creation, and fillings can be as diverse as dulce de leche, custards, guava and cheese, and any number of fruit jellies and preparations.
