How are empanadas prepared in different parts of the world?

Read in EnglishThere are sweet and savory ones, made with flour dough, puff pastry, or corn dough, filled with meat or cheese, baked or fried, but do you know how empanadas are prepared in different parts of the world?Empanadas are eaten in both Russia and Venezuela and Argentina. In Mexico, we have some versions in Hidalgo and Veracruz. So, if you were wondering where empanadas come from, we tell you that their exact origin is not known; however, each country has its own version and way of preparing its delicious empanadas. Here we tell you how empanadas are made in different parts of the world.Where do empanadas come from?According to the etymology of the word empanada, it comes from the Spanish 'empanar', which implies putting something between bread or dough to bake it.Shepherds and travelers used to fill breads with food or vegetables to eat later, during their workday or on the road.Some time later, the meats or fillings ended up cooking along with the empanada dough and ta-da, we have empanadas as we know them.Since the Middle Ages, in Spain, they were filled with game meats, fish, or leftovers from other stews, and were made with wheat or rye flour.So, although we cannot know exactly where empanadas come from, we can say that their origin is in Europe and the Middle East, and from there they spread to America.In Spain, the most famous empanadas are from Galicia and the most common filling is tuna, but they are also made with other very Mediterranean ingredients, such as sardines, mussels, or even chicken.There are also empanadas known as hornazo, typical of Salamanca and Ávila, which are filled with chorizo, ham, or other cold cuts. In America, perhaps the most famous empanadas are the Argentine ones, whose filling is known as recado or carbonada. The most common ways to fill them are with beef, chicken, ham, cheese and spinach or Swiss chard, these are usually accompanied by a white sauce.In Bolivia, for example, the well-known salteñas are prepared as an extra part of breakfast and are made with sweet dough, which is lightly painted red or orange and filled with meat or chicken.On the other hand, Chile has empanadas as an iconic food for their country, to the point that they have been part of history, as President Salvador Allende referred to the Chilean revolution as one with the taste of red wine and the smell of empanada.The dough for these empanadas is made with wheat flour, and the most commonly eaten ones are filled with seafood and another with minced meat and onion, known as pino empanadas.In Mexico, we usually fill the meat empanadas, cheese, or chicken, but we also love to make them with typical stews from here, such as rajas with cheese or delicious chicken with mole.While in Veracruz we have volovanes, in Hidalgo we have pastes. In other parts of the country, such as in Sinaloa, the empanadas are sweet and are filled with guava or cajeta.Empanadas are also eaten in Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and other continents, such as Europe and Asia. Don't miss the opportunity to try this delicious dish and prepare it as it is traditionally made in your country, or as in another part of the world.