NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY 
Each year on April 8th, National Empanada Day recognizes a delicious pastry that comes in several different forms. The name empanada comes from the Galician, Portuguese and Spanish verb em pandar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread.
National Empanada Day
Empanadas are made by folding the dough or bread around a seasoned stuffing. The stuffed dough is then baked or fried. Very much like hand pies, these delicious pastries offer a variety of choices. You can make your empanadas with meat, cheese, vegetables or fruit fillings. However, they may be made with other ingredients, too.
A cookbook published in 1520 in Catalan, the Libre del Coch by Ruperto de Nola, mentions empanadas filled with seafood.
If you've never had an empanada, you might be surprised just how versatile they are. Different parts of the United States make them with their own style and flavors. Starting in the Southern and Southwestern United States where an empanada is called a Creole empanada, the dish becomes a savory meal. There, they fill the half-circle flaky crust with seasoned pork, beef or chicken, and cheese.
Head to the Southeastern part of the country and empanadas transform. A little more on the sweeter side, they fill these pastries with fresh or reconstituted dry fruit. Some choices include apples, apricots, peaches or sweet potatoes. Once fried, the pies have a crispy outer shell with piping hot fruit inside.
Further west in New Mexico, making empanadas for Christmas is a winter tradition. They make sweetmeats, similar to mincemeat, using ground pork, sugar, pinon nuts, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Everything is then sealed in a tortilla-like dough and deep-fried in lard.
How to Observe National Empanada Day
- Make your favorite version of empanadas. You can choose from a variety of fillings and make one for everyone in the family. Have everyone try their hand at making the dough and filling them.
- Share your favorite empanada recipes.
- If you're doubting your dough-making skills, try frozen or canned dough. While you're cooking, be sure to share your recipes, too! Empanada recipes
National Empanada Day History
National Day Calendar continues researching this delicious food celebration.
Empanada FAQ
Q. Are empanadas and handpies the same thing?
A. They are similar in that they are pie-like pastries that contain fillings and fit in the hand.
Q. Can I use an egg wash on empanadas?
A. Yes. And egg wash will give the empanada a crispy crust.
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I had never heard of them nor really seen them here although I might have missed noticing them. I will look for them and check it out. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMiddle daughter introduced us to them several years ago when she served them for dinner. She makes them with beef and cheese. She also makes them with fruit in the place of pie. They are really good.
DeleteOoh, another way to mix bread and fillings! There are so many, tied to various cultures. This is one I have yet to try.
ReplyDeleteThey truly are yummy! 😋
ReplyDelete