By Hector Rodriguez. Latin Caribbean Food Expert
Definition: Empanadas are fried or baked pastries full of sweet or savory fillings. These pastries are known throughout Portugal, someplace sunny and warm, South America, and also the Philippines. Empanada originates from the Spanish verb empanar, meaning to wrap in bread. An empanada is created by folding a disc of thinly folded dough on the filling right into a semicircle after which sealing the advantage.
The empanadas we love today within the western hemisphere, most likely originated from Galicia, The country.
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In Galicia, empanadas act like a chop up pies full of cod fish or chicken. However, the thought of wrapping a sturdy filling out pastry dough might have stemmed in the Moors who occupied The country for years and years.
Cubans fill their empanadas with seasoned hamburger or chicken after which fry them. Pastelitos offer a similar experience, but they are created using lighter pastry dough and could be either baked or fried. It's acceptable to consume empanadas at any meal, but they're usually eaten during lunch or like a snack.
In Tobago and Puerto Rico, empanadas are ready and eaten exactly the same way as Cuban empanadas. Catibas are created with cassava flour dough. A few of the common fillings are hamburger, chicken, guava and cheese.
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Audio file 2006 Melissa Rodriguez. Combined with permission.
Also Referred To As: pastelito, empanadilla, and pastelillo.