Today’s food holiday gets our seal of approval! April 8 is National Empanada Day.
Some food dishes know no boundaries; they are loved by many cultures the world over. Empanadas fit perfectly into this category.
Most people think of these half-moon shaped pastries as being South American, but their origins can be traced back to Portugal and Galicia. The beauty of empanadas is that the rich, buttery dough can be filled with almost anything — sweet or savory.
In Argentina, a filling of ground beef, onion, egg and olives is a comforting and delicious favorite. In Indonesia and some other Southeast Asian countries, empanadas are filled with a spicy tuna mixture or rice.
Once you get the hang of them, empanadas are a cinch to make. Empanada parties are also a fun option: Each friend gets a region or country and then has to bring empanadas that typify their designated nation.
It’s a delicious trip around the world — no passport required.
If cooking ain’t your thing, we recommend you visit the Continental Gourmet Market in Hawthorne or one of Porto’s Bakery three locations for their savory rich empanadas.
Emily Smith | CNN
