26 September, 2021
Estimated reading time : 1 Minute, 5 Seconds
Empanadas are flaky pastry pockets filled with savory ingredients and served hot. The name comes from the verb "empanar," meaning "to wrap or enclose in bread or dough." Paraguayans didn’t think this idea was bad and created their own empanada sandwich.
The origin of the empanada is unclear, but the first mention of the empanada dates back to the Middle Ages.
Historians have found a Catalan recipe book that (probably) contains the first empanada recipe, published in 1520 by a man named Rupert de Nora.
It is believed that the first Spanish immigrants brought this recipe to South America in the 16th century.
Medieval Spain consisted of bread, legumes, and a variety of meats. All these ingredients are part of the traditional empanada.
The basic ingredients of empanadas have changed over the years. Historically, empanadas were simple breads filled with beef, pork, or veal.
Recent empanada fillings vary according to the season and freshness. But Paraguayans have added another dimension to this category: the sandwich.
Although they are not called that today, the usefulness of this pastry has not been lost across generations. It remains a fundamental element of Paraguayan culinary culture. It is served for breakfast and dinner with delicious coffee and fruit juices.
Many families prepare empanada sandwiches for simple dinners and gatherings. Corners and fairs offer fresh empanada bread as takeaway food for hikers.
Moreover, popular restaurants focus on unique and original empanada sandwich recipes.
Want to add rustic dishes to your daily life? Try the Paraguayan empanada sandwich and learn more about today’s Paraguayan cuisine.
