National Empanada Day
National Empanada Day is a celebration that occurs in a variety of ways each year on April 8th. The word empanada comes from the Galician, Portuguese, and Spanish word em pandar, which means to wrap or coat in bread.
Empanadas are made by folding the dough or bread around a seasoned stuffing. The stuffed dough is then baked or fried and can be served or fried. These delectable pastries are available in a variety of styles, much like hand pies. You can make your empanadas with meat, cheese, spinach, or fruit fillings. However, they can also be made with other ingredients.
Empanadas filled with seafood are listed in a cookbook published in Catalan by Ruperto de Nola in 1520.
You may be surprised how versatile they are if you've never had an empanada. Different areas 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 dish. They fill the half-circle flaky crust with seasoned pork, beef or chicken, and cheese.
Empanadas change in the Southeast area of the region. They fill these pastries with either fresh or reconstituted dry fruit, a little more on the sweeter side. Apples, apricots, peaches, or sweet potatoes are among the many items on the menu. The pies are crispy outer shell with piping hot fruit inside, and they are ready to be served.
Making empanadas for Christmas is a winter tradition in New Mexico. They make sweetmeats that are similar to mincemeat, and they use ground pork, sugar, pinon nuts, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Everything is then deep-fried in lard and baked in a tortilla-like dough.
How to celebrate #nationalempanadaday
- Make your own empanadas by making your own version. You can choose from a variety of fillings or make one for everyone in the family. Have everyone try their hand at making the dough and filling them
- Share your favorite empanada recipes
- Try frozen or canned dough to see if you're doubting your dough-making skills. If you're cooking, be sure to post your recipes as well
- Empanada recipes
- To post on social media, use the hashtag #NationalEmpanadaDay
Empanada FAQ
Q. Is empanadas and handpies the same thing?
A. They are similar in that they are pie-like pastries with fillings and fit in the hand.
Q. Can I use an egg wash on empanadas?
A. Yes. Yes. The empanada will have a crispy crust as a result of the egg wash.
