Empanadas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of pastry filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, or vegetables and typically baked or fried
2. A dough pocket that is savory or sweet, usually created with a crispy outer layer and delicious fillings inside
3. A traditional dish consisting of folded dough encasing a mixture often seasoned, enjoyed hot or cold as a snack or meal

Etymology: The culinary delight known as empanadas traces its name back to the Spanish verb "empanar," which means "to bread" or "to wrap in bread." This verb itself comes from "pan," the Spanish word for bread, which originates from the Latin "panis." The act of "empanar" involved enclosing a filling inside a dough or bread wrapper, a concept central to the creation of these stuffed pastries. Empanadas are believed to have Iberian origins, where enclosing meat or other fillings in dough was a practical way to preserve and transport food. Spanish colonization spread this technique throughout Latin America, where local variations flourished, adapting fillings and preparation methods to regional tastes and ingredients. The term entered English usage relatively recently, as Latin American cuisine gained popularity, bringing this savory pastry into wider culinary awareness. The word's evolution is tied closely to the practice rather than a specific invention or event. It embodies a simple culinary principle: wrapping food in dough to create a portable, baked or fried snack. Over time, empanadas have come to represent not just a dish but a cultural symbol of shared heritage across many Spanish-speaking countries, each adding its own distinctive twist while keeping the name derived from the humble bread wrapper at its core.

Synonyms: turnovers, pastries, filled pies, stuffed dough, savory pastries