National Empanada Day
Making a prominent appearance as a culinary figure in the Spanish-speaking world, empanadas offer a delicious foray into a wide array of flavors that are wrapped in a delightful pastry shell.
National Empanada Day brings the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for and celebrate this small, convenient meal that packs a huge and delectable punch!
How to Celebrate National Empanada Day
Have loads of fun and fill that belly with extreme goodness by celebrating National Empanada Day using some of these ideas:
Enjoy Eating Empanadas
Of course, everyone should spend at least a portion of this day reveling in a few different versions of empanadas on their plates!
Many restaurants with a Latin flair are likely to serve these pastry wrapped treats, including establishments with an Argentinian, South American, or Spanish theme.
Food trucks are also a good place to score empanadas, so grab a friend and eat some at lunch or dinner in honor of National Empanada Day.
Host a National Empanada Day Party
Food is always a great reason to throw a party! And this specific food that comes as a pastry filled with tasty goodness brings a special kind of celebration. In honor of National Empanada Day, gather some friends and family to enjoy a feast of these little food envelopes.
Order in from a local empanada restaurant or enjoy making them at home to serve to guests. And don’t forget to play some Spanish or Portuguese music and decorate with a similar theme!
Try Making Empanadas at Home
Although they might be a bit tricky to get started with, empanadas are actually a fairly simple concept that just requires a bit of prepwork.
Shortcuts like using pre-made refrigerated dough can certainly cut down the time. Fill them with a mix of ground beef, chorizo, onion and potatoes for a traditional vibe. It’s a great way to use up leftovers as well.
Get Creative with Empanadas
One of the best things about this little savory meal or sweet treat is that the possibilities for fillings are almost endless! From traditional to a bit out there, spend National Empanada Day getting creative with unique ideas for what to put inside.
Hop online to find a myriad of recipes, or check out a few of these ideas to get started:
- Sweet Potato Cheesecake Empanadas
- Portuguese Shrimp Empanadas
- Buffalo Chicken Empanadas
- Turkey Empanadas with Stuffing and Cranberries
National Empanada Day FAQs
What’s the connection between empanadas and medieval Europe?
Empanadas have roots in medieval Europe, influenced by the Moorish tradition of stuffing bread with meats and spices.
This culinary technique spread during the Islamic occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. Over time, it evolved into portable pastries filled with savory ingredients, perfect for long journeys.
Why are empanadas shaped differently in various regions?
Empanada shapes often signal their fillings. In Argentina, a crimped edge (repulgue) indicates savory fillings like beef, while sweet empanadas are folded differently.
This tradition simplifies identifying flavors without cutting them open.
Are there superstitions tied to making or eating empanadas?
In some South American households, making empanadas during full moons is believed to bring prosperity.
Others say folding them clockwise ensures good luck. These playful customs vary between families.
What is the weirdest empanada flavor ever created?
Innovative chefs have filled empanadas with everything from chocolate-covered crickets in Mexico to kimchi and pork in South Korea.
These quirky adaptations combine local ingredients with empanada-making traditions.
How do empanadas reflect religious influences?
Empanadas are part of religious celebrations in several countries. In Spain, they were traditionally prepared for Catholic Lent, filled with cod or other seafood to comply with fasting rules.
Do empanadas have a place in modern street food culture?
Empanadas are thriving as street food, especially in urban areas of Colombia, Argentina, and the Philippines.
Vendors sell handheld, affordable empanadas customized with local fillings like arequipe (sweet caramel) or rice and beans.
What’s the record for the largest empanada ever made?
Chile holds the record for the world’s largest empanada. In 2015, a team baked a massive pastry weighing over 1,500 kilograms, stuffed with traditional pino.
How are empanadas used in art or pop culture?
In the Philippines, empanadas inspire street performances during festivals, with dancers wearing costumes mimicking the golden-brown pastry.
Empanadas have also appeared in comedy sketches celebrating their universal appeal.
How do empanadas symbolize community?
In many cultures, empanadas are made in groups during celebrations, strengthening community bonds.
Families gather to roll dough and fold fillings, turning the process into a social event as much as a culinary one.
What are some tips for making empanadas like a pro?
Skilled empanada makers suggest using chilled butter for flaky dough and sealing edges with a fork or decorative crimping. Adding a touch of sugar to the dough enhances balance in savory empanadas.
History of National Empanada Day
The story behind empanadas can be traced back more than 500 years, when this simple little food made its first appearance in a cookbook from Catalonia, now part of Spain.
Similar forms of this dish can be found in various areas of the world with Spanish influence, such as Portugal, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and more. But no matter where they are found, the expectation is that they will always be delicious.
National Empanada Day has been celebrated since 2011, when the day was started through grassroots efforts to make a big deal out of this small but mighty hand pie!
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