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Get ready to celebrate National Empanada Day on April 8th! Empanadas are a delicious pastry pocket filled with savory or sweet fillings, originating from Spain and Portugal. They have become popular all over the world, with variations found in South America, Asia, Africa and more. The history of this beloved dish dates back centuries ago when it was consumed as an easy snack by travelers. Today we can enjoy empanadas in both traditional flavors like beef and chicken as well as creative concoctions such as apples & cinnamon or strawberry cheesecake.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1520</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origination of Empanadas</div><div class='timeline-text'>Empanadas were first recorded in a Spanish cookbook, cementing their origins in the Iberian Peninsula.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1500s-1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Spanish and Portuguese Expansion</div><div class='timeline-text'>As Spain and Portugal grew their empires, empanadas spread to the colonies in South America, Africa, and Asia.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cultural Adaptation of Empanadas</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the spread of empanadas, different cultures started to develop their own adaptations of the dish with local flavors and ingredients.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1940</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Empanadas in United States</div><div class='timeline-text'>Empanadas start to climb in popularity within the United States as a result of Latin American immigration.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Empanada Day Initiated</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first National Empanada Day was celebrated in 2011 to honor this versatile dish and its rich multicultural history.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Cook empanadas</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend the day making empanadas from scratch. Try different recipes, like beef, chicken, or cheese. Mix dough, fill them up with your favorite ingredients, and bake in the oven.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go out for empanadas</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Try a new restaurant that specializes in empanadas and experience the different flavors. A great way to celebrate and sample different types of these delicious treats.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an empanada party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for an empanada party! Have everyone bring their favorite type of empanada and have a taste test to find out who makes the best one. Don't forget some dipping sauces for added flavor.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Enjoy sweet empanadas</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Forget savory - enjoy sweet empanadas filled with fruit or chocolate! Try baking a few at home with different fillings and flavors and see which one you like best.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw an empanada competition</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Do you think you make the best empanadas? Put your skills to the test by throwing an Empanada competition! Invite friends and family to compete against each other to see who can create the most creative and tasty dish.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Empanadas are delicious</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>These pastries are filled with yummy ingredients like ground beef, cheese, and vegetables, then fried or baked until golden and crispy. Empanadas are a great way to enjoy classic Latin American flavors in convenient, bite-sized packages!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Empanadas can be customized</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The best part about empanadas is that they can be personalized to suit any preference. Whether you're a fan of sweet empanadas filled with fruit fillings, or savory types packed with meats and veggies, there's sure to be an empanada for everyone!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Empanadas make great finger food</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Because they come in individual portions, empanadas are perfect for snacking on the go. Pack some up for lunch or serve them as party appetizers - your guests will love having a delicious meal without any mess or hassle!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Empanada Folds Communicate the Filling Inside</h3><p class='facts-content'>Did you know? The way an empanada is folded or crimped can indicate the type of filling used. This folding technique, often different between various Latin American cultures, provides a handy guide when choosing which one to eat next.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Empanadas are Often Consumed During Festivals and Celebrations</h3><p class='facts-content'>This delicious food has become a staple during festivals, family reunions, and parties due to its convenient size and the variety of fillings it offers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Empanadas are Featured in Literature</h3><p class='facts-content'>In Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude", empanadas play a symbolic role as they are stuffed with secret messages in a revolutionary act.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Empanadas Have Travelled Space</h3><p class='facts-content'>Empanadas gained extra-terrestrial status when an Argentinian astronaut took vacuum-sealed empanadas to the International Space Station in 2007, making it the first empanada in space.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are "Empanada Federations" in Argentina</h3><p class='facts-content'>In Argentine provinces of Tucumán and Salta, there exist "Empanada Federations" that standardize methods and ingredients when preparing traditional empanadas, a testament to the cultural importance of this dish.</p></div></div>
National Empanada Day is celebrated on April 8th every year. In 2024 National Empanada Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
Apr 8
Saturday
2024
Apr 8
Monday
2025
Apr 8
Tuesday
2026
Apr 8
Wednesday
2027
Apr 8
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