A delicious National Empanada Day to celebrate
April 8th is a day to celebrate what many of us already know: empanadas are one of the most delicious snacks out there. Though empanadas…
April 8th is a day to celebrate what many of us already know: empanadas are one of the most delicious snacks out there.
Though empanadas originated in Spain, theyre extremely popular in both Latin America and, increasingly, the U.S. Typically, the pies we see today are a half-moon shape and are filled with chicken, fish, or beef, along with spices.
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However, the innumerable recipes for the empanadabaked or fried, meat-filled or vegetarian, half-moon or mini-piemean that everyone can find the right snack for their tastes.
Celebrate national empanada day by learning a little about the foods history and then taste-testing a couple different varieties for yourself!
Spanish roots
Empanadas originally come from Spains Galicia region. Even now, there are several empanada festivals throughout the year celebrating the baked pie; our national empanada day pales in comparison.
While we more readily recognize the half-moon shaped pastry today, empanadas began as round mini-pies. Just like todays variety, they were stuffed with meat, cheese, or whatever leftovers the cook has at hand. Those original snacks were most likely baked; today, they may be either baked or fried.
Luckily for us, the portability of empanadas meant that when Galicians left Spain for the new world, they brought empanadas along. As an easy-to-make and transport-friendly food, they were popular with many Spaniards on the move.
Wide variety
The mini-pies we now celebrate on national empanada day take range of forms, with different Latin American countries forming these tasty, doughy treats in accord with whats available and popular in a particular country.
For instance, in countries that rely on plantains and yucca for starchsuch as those in the Caribbean and Andesthe pastry dough is usually made with plantain flour. In Mexico, on the other hand, empanadas are made out of corn dough.
The following countries have their own spin on empanadas.
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