Every year, National Empanada Day is celebrated on April 8. But can we be totally honest with you? We don't need a special day to celebrate empanadas, because we are fans of these delicious stuffed pastries all year long. Still, it's not like we're going to pass up an opportunity to sing the praises of one of our favorite dishes! So let us be clear on where we stand: Long live empanadas! And to make sure that their legacy prevails, we've put together some incredible recipes for you to try. You are welcome.
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Before we get to all the recipes, though, let's talk about these edible gems known as empanadas for a second. First off, the name comes from em pamar, a verb in Galician, Portuguese, and Spanish that means to cover in bread, which is pretty much the definition of an empanada. It's a filling covered in bread. There are so many different versions of empanadas throughout the world. Think Venezuelan, Chilean, Dominican, Puerto Rican, and so on. We've even included a Senegalese recipe for you to check out. Now, go on—take a look at these recipes, and make some empanadas!