Each year on April 8th, National Empanada Day recognizes a delicious pastry that comes in several different forms. The name empanada comes from the Galician, Portuguese and Spanish verb em pandar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread.

Empanadas are made by folding the dough or bread around a seasoned stuffing. The stuffed dough is then baked or fried. Very much like hand pies, these delicious pastries offer a variety of choices. You can make your empanadas with meat, cheese, vegetables or fruit fillings. However, they may be made with other ingredients, too.

A cookbook published in 1520 in Catalan, the Libre del Coch by Ruperto de Nola, mentions empanadas filled with seafood.

If you’ve never had an empanada, you might be surprised just how versatile they are. Different parts of the United States make them with their own style and flavors. Starting in the Southern and Southwestern United States where an empanada is called a Creole empanada, the dish becomes a savory meal. There, they fill the half-circle flaky crust with seasoned pork, beef or chicken, and cheese.

Head to the Southeastern part of the country and empanadas transform. A little more on the sweeter side, they fill these pastries with fresh or reconstituted dry fruit. Some choices include apples, apricots, peaches or sweet potatoes. Once fried, the pies have a crispy outer shell with piping hot fruit inside.

Further west in New Mexico, making empanadas for Christmas is a winter tradition. They make sweetmeats, similar to mincemeat, using ground pork, sugar, pinon nuts, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Everything is then sealed in a tortilla-like dough and deep-fried in lard.

More to Expolre…

• Hispanic Heritage Month
• National Taco Day
• Family Taco Night
• National Burrito Day
• National Tamale Day
• National Quesadilla Day
• Cinco De Mayo
• National Nachos Day
• Family Taco Night
• Jens Loaded Nachos
• National Totilla Chip Day
• National Fajito Day
• National Avocado Day
• National Tequila Day
• National Margarita Day
• Tres Leche Cake
• La Fiesta Reasons to Party
• National Guacamole Day
• Totally Chipolte Day
• National Salsa Month
• Spicy Guacamole Day
• National Menudo Month
• National Empanada Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEmpanadaDay

Make your favorite version of empanadas. You can choose from a variety of fillings and make one for everyone in the family. Have everyone try their hand at making the dough and filling them. Whether you prefer to make them into a meal or a dessert, the day will be celebration-worthy!

If you’re doubting your dough-making skills, try frozen or canned dough. While you’re cooking, be sure to share your recipes, too!

Use #NationalEmpanadaDay to post on social media.