Write a comment
Peruvian Empanadas

Peruvian Empanadas

Stuffed Pastry

Empanadas are probably most associated with Argentine or Colombia rather than Peru. However, the baked or fried pastries filled with savory or sweet fillings are so popular in Peru and prepared with the special Peruvian touch that they just belong here.

Most probably, the origins of empanadas date back to medieval times when people filled bread - later dough - with cooked meat and vegetables to preserve perishable food, make use of leftover stew and feed workers and travelers along their way.

Empanadas, as we know them today, most probably originated in Galicia, a region in northwest Spain and were first mentioned in 1520 in a Catalan cookbook. The term Empanada derives from the Castilian word “empanar” which in its original sense means “enbreaded” or “enclosed or wrapped in bread or dough”; so, Empanadas in the Middle Ages were more or less today's wraps.

They came to the Americas with the Spanish conquerors and today can be found in nearly all Latin American countries. However, while the basic preparation technique remains unchanged - folding dough over a filling, which may consist of meat, fish, cheese, vegetables or fruits, and then baking or frying the pastry - just about every country, even every region, chef or mum at home has his or her very own version.

In Peru, the traditional Empanadas are filled with fried ground beef, onions, olives, hard-boiled egg and raisins. After baking or frying, the Empanadas are sprinkled with icing sugar and, before biting into them, with a squeeze of lime juice.

Over the past years, Empanadas with various other fillings such as chicken, ham and cheese or only cheese, Lomo Saltado or Aji de Gallina became very popular in Peru as well.

Say something here...
characters left
or post as a guest
All comments MUST be in English and will be moderated before publishing.
They will appear below within 24 hours.
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.

Be the first to comment.

Peru Newsflash

Peru Event Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

Latest Content...

Latest Video

Maria Reiche - Memories

Maria Reiche - Memories

Submitted by: Tintin
05 December 2021

Long Reads...

  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The Mystery of the Nazca Lines in Peru

    In the 1920s, when people first flew across southern Peru, they made an astonishing discovery. Stretching below them,…
  • Peruvian Personalities & Founders

    Francisco Pizarro González (1474-1541)

    Francisco Pizarro, a peasant from Spain, was one of the least well-equipped conquerors in history. However, in the name…
  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The colorful Fabrics and Textiles of Peru

    Europe’s first knowledge of Peruvian textiles was acquired following the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1532, when the…
  • Peruvian Legends, Myths & Tales

    The Jeweled Frog and the Condor

    By a quiet pond, at the side of a cloud-topped mountain in Peru, lived a small green frog and his large green family.…
  • Peru Info

    Peruvian Economy

    The Peruvian economy is an emerging, social market economy highly dependent on foreign trade and classified as an upper…