April 8 is a holiday for people cannot resist delicious Spanish cuisine — National Empanada Day. It is customary to feast on fried and baked pies with a variety of fillings. The dish is common on the Iberian Peninsula, Argentina, and other Latin American countries. This is a simple treat. Without pretensions to haute cuisine, pies are a favorite treat, evoking childhood memories.
The History
First mention of this dish dates back to the Middle Ages. A book dated to the middle of the XVI century describes the method used by Catalan residents. Dough was stuffed with seafood. The historical ancestor is the samsa, a triangular fried meat pie, a popular dish of Eastern peoples (among residents of South Asia and Arab countries).
Interesting facts
Name comes from empanar meaning breading.
- The pies are prepared from dough by baking or frying. Fillings include meat, vegetables, and fruit. Carrots, sweet potatoes, chicken, glass noodles, or guava can be used.
- Portugal’s traditional empanada is made from pork, tuna, or sardines. Tomato sauce is made with addition seasoning and spices for spiciness.
- Every region’s people who like making empanadas boasts of their own original recipe.
- Corn flour dough is used in Venezuela. Peanut paste pie is popular in Colombia.
The empanada is fashionable at parties and holidays in countries of the Spanish-speaking world. This is an ideal option for a buffet. Small pieces can be eaten on the go, directly with your hands. Empanadas are loved for their exoticness in the USA.
When is National Empanada Day celebrated in 2024?
National Empanada Day is observed on April 8 each year.
Observations
| Monday | April | 8 | 2024 |
| Tuesday | April | 8 | 2025 |
| Weekday | Month | Day | Year |
