Food Holidays: April 7th, 2022

Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: April 7th, 2022. Today is National Empanada Day. I don’t know about you but I love Beef Empanada’s which I usually get at On The Border. If you haven’t had a Empanada would you like to go to lunch at On The Border?

National Empanada Day

1. Did you know the Spanish word for Bread is “pan”?  “Empanar” is a verb form that means “to Bread”. Empanada is the past-participle, “Breaded”.
2. Empanadas are basically a single-serving Turnover. Empanadas can be filled with sweet foods including Fruits, Sugars, and Syrups. Or savory foods including Meats, Cheeses, and Oils.
3. Empanadas originated in Northwest Spain, in a region known as Galicia.
4. Today Empanadas are most popular in Spanish-speaking Countries across Europe and South America.
5. Originally, Empanadas were made with Bread Dough, but now they are made with Pastries as well.

Fun Fact:

The Bolani is an Afghan variant of the Empanada. Bolanis are Flatbreads stuffed with Vegetables including Spinach or Potato. They are served in the evenings during the Muslim feast of Ramadan as well as at other times.

Bolivian Empanadas are made with Beef, Pork, or Chicken, and usually contain Potatoes, Peas and Carrots, as well as a hard-boiled Egg, Olive, or Raisins. They are called Salteñas and are moon-shaped pouches of Dough customarily seamed along the top of the Pastry.

Empanadas are known as Panada or Pastel in Indonesia. The Panada, has thick crust made of Fried Bread, giving it Bread texture and is filled with Spicy Tuna and Chili Peppers. The Pastel has thin crust and a filling typically made of finely diced Potatoes, Carrot, Green Onions, Chicken, Garlic, and Glass Noodles.

Even if you’ve never tried Empanadas, there’s a good chance you’ve had one of their distant (and delicious) cousins. Originally from Galicia, Spain, Empanadas now exist in over 30 Countries in some shape or form. The name comes from “Empanar”, which means “to Bread” in Spanish and Portuguese. But some historians argue that the true meaning is “Can I have another?” That might not be a historical fact, but we keep the spirit alive when National Empanada Day comes rolling in on April 8th!

WHEN IS NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY 2022?

Spanish Pastries are in the spotlight on National Empanada Day on April 8th.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY

An Empanada is a type of fried or baked Pastry with Spanish origins. The name is derived from the Spanish term ‘empanar,’ which literally translates to ‘enbreaded,’ meaning coated in Bread. The Dough or Bread used for making Empanadas is stuffed with tasty fillings including Meat, Vegetables, and in some Cultures, Fruit. The dish is also popular in Latin American and Southern European Countries.

The exact origins of Empanadas are linked to Portugal and Galicia (Spain.) The Pastry made its first appearance during the Moorish invasions in Medieval Iberia. In 1520, a Cookbook featuring Catalan, Arabian, French, and Italian food had Seafood-filled Empanadas listed as one of its recipes. It is widely believed that Empanadas and its similar cousin, the Calzone, are both inspired by Samosas. A triangular-shaped Pie popular in Arab and South Asian Cultures.  

In Portugal and Spain, Empanadas are prepared by cutting a large Pie into pieces. Then it can be enjoyed on the go. Portuguese and Galician Empanada fillings include Sardines, Tuna, and other types of Seafood, or Pork, in a Sauce prepared from Tomatoes and Garlic.

NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY ACTIVITIES

1. Sometimes it’s best to leave things to the professionals. This is especially true if your area has a thriving Latin American or Caribbean community. But even if it doesn’t, there’s no reason to fear. Stumble into a place that offers Fried Pie.
2. You could make your qwn Empanadas at home. Just find a recipe online and there is no, reason you can’t experiment and add your own fillings. However, you’ll probably want the support of a friend. Aside from helping with prep and clean up, the extra mouths will ensure that you leave the table on your own two feet.
3. Share Your Pics on Social Media. Whether it’s a work of art or just a “piece of work”, you’ll put a smile on someone’s face. Also, if you and your friends tried making Empanadas from different Countries, it could be interesting to compare the results.

5 FACTS ABOUT EMPANADAS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

1. Every region of Argentina has its own version of Empanadas.
2. In Argentina, Empanadas are served as a starter or main course at get-togethers and parties.
3. In Belize, Empanadas are known as Panades.
4. In Chile, Empanadas are consumed in large quantities, especially during the Country’s National Days.
5. Traditional Venezuelan Empanadas are made with ground Corn Dough.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY

1. Empanadas are the perfect finger food because they come wrapped in an edible, flaky container, which means you don’t need utensils. Doesn’t matter if you’re at a restaurant or food truck, every bit of goodness will safely reach its destination without a fork. Best of all, Empanadas are a breeze to share with your friends. But you do not have to share I will not tell anyone.
2. Most people are aware of the Meat and Cheese Empanada, but you can stuff Empanadas with pretty much anything. Including Sweet Potatoes, Peaches, or Guava Paste. Of course, in these cases these Empanadas resemble more of a Puff Pastry. In Bolivia, they like to have the best of both worlds. In Boliva you can find Salteñas that are filled with a Sweet and Spicy Soup. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of Tea, we’ll take them off your hands.
3. Remember, more than 30 Countries have their own version of Empanadas. You’re bound to find an Empanada that fits your taste. If you can’t live without Peanuts, you might want to check out Colombia. That part of the Country adds Peanuts and top things off with an Aji Sauce. Or maybe you can’t decide between Noodles and Bread? In that case, Indonesia has you covered. Their local variety comes chock full of Potatoes, Carrots, Chicken, and Glass Noodles.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates