Empanada
An empanada is a baked or fried turnover made by folding dough over a filling.
An empanada is a baked or fried turnover made by folding dough over a savoury or sweet filling. It's a staple in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American cuisines, with a long history tied to Iberian and Moorish traditions.
What it is
Empanadas are a broad category of filled pastries. The dough is wrapped around a filling—meat, cheese, vegetables, seafood, or fruit—then baked or fried. The name comes from the Spanish verb *empanar*, meaning to coat or wrap in bread.
Origins and varieties
Empanadas trace back to Iberian cuisine, with older Middle Eastern and Moorish influences. Fillings vary widely by region: beef and olives in Argentina, cheese and corn in Colombia, or sweet fillings like fruit in the Philippines. Dough types and shapes also differ.
Cultural reach and Canada
Empanadas are common street food and festival food across Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines. In Canada, they're widely available through Latin American, Spanish, and Filipino communities, and appear on menus in urban food markets and restaurants.
In short
- Empanadas are turnovers, baked or fried, with a filling.
- The name comes from Spanish *empanar* (to wrap in bread).
- Fillings range from savoury meat to sweet fruit.
- They're popular globally, including in Canada's diverse food scene.
Empanadas are widely available in Canada through Latin American, Spanish, and Filipino communities, and they appear on menus in many urban food markets and restaurants.
Quick questions
What is an empanada?
Where did empanadas come from?
Are empanadas always savoury?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EmpanadaSupports: Basic definition, etymology, common regions, typical fillings, and preparation methods.
- El Sur — https://elsursf.com/blogs/news/a-brief-history-of-empanadasSupports: General history, common shapes, sweet and savoury varieties, and typical fillings.
- Argentum Empanadas — https://argentumempanadas.com/blogs/stories/so-where-are-empanadas-really-fromSupports: Historical discussion of Iberian, Moorish, and Middle Eastern influences and spread to Latin America.
- Culinary Cam — https://www.culinarycam.com/post/empanadas-historySupports: Definition, name origin, and spread across Iberian and Latin American cuisines.
- 410 Empanadas — https://410empanadas.com/2023/03/history-of-the-empanada/Supports: General description of empanada forms, fillings, and global distribution.