NOLAchef

Empanadas are ABSOLUTELY my favorite food Argentina has to offer.

Cheese + Dough + Delivery = I’m not cooking tonight!

Empanada 411:

• Empanadas come from the verb empanar which means to wrap or coat in bread.

• They were brought over to Latin America by Spanish colonist.

• In Argentina, the dough is typically made from wheat flour and butter.

• A repulgue or pattern is used to indicate what type of filling it has.  These patterns are made by pinching or folding the pastry dough.

• Beef is the most traditional followed by ham and cheese, and chicken.

• NUMEROUS cheesy vegetarian options are available, my faves.

• Location highly affects how the empanadas are prepared.  Salteñas, from the province of Salta, are smaller baked empanadas most commonly stuffed with carne (suave or picante) chilis, boiled eggs, and green olives. 
  

• The BEST empanadas I’ve had were charque from Salta.  Charque or charqui is cured (salted & dried) meat normally horse, llama, or beef.  I REALLY hope they weren’t horse….

berenjena, eggplant, are lightly pickled and sprinkled with oregano

My 2 faves…

panceta y ciruela, bacon & plum are a great balance of salty and sweet

Casa de empanadas or most pizzerias sell empanadas and can be found on almost every block in Buenos Aires.  The best I’ve found, La Fachada.  Abiertas and Cerradas are available at La Fachada and cost 3-4 pesos each.  The queso y cebolla (with green onions, verdeo) is also FANTASTIC but extremely greasy.  ALL are beyond unhealthy, but once a week when I need a break from the cocina I see no problemas.  Grab the house sauce and some napkins and enjoy….