Pumpkin Empanada
An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables or fruits. The origins of empanadas can trace their roots back to Spain in the 1500’s and the Spanish colonizers introduced this dish to many Latin American countries. Empanada also have strong similarities to Samosas from India which are meat-filled pies.
Ingredients
PASTRY INGREDIENTS
- 6 ounces All-purpose flour
- 4 ounces Butter (cold), cut into small pieces
- 1 pinch Salt
- 2 ounces Apple juice (cold)
- 1 piece Egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water
FILLING INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup Rum
- 2 tbsp Dried apples (chopped)
- 2 tbsp Dried cranberries (chopped)
- 2 tbsp Dried apricots (chopped)
- 2 tbsp Butter (unsalted)
- ½ cup Brown sugar
- ½ tbsp Cinnamon
- 1 pinch Allspice
- 1 cup Pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp Vanilla
Instructions
- In a food processor, add the flour, butter and salt. Pulse until the mix resembles coarse sand. Pulse, adding apple juice, until the dough gathers. Flatten into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- In a small saucepan melt the butter over low heat. Add the cinnamon and allspice. Stir for 15 seconds, then add the pumpkin. Stir until combined. Remove from heat. Stir in fruit. Allow mixture to cool before filling pastries.
- In a small saucepan, warm the rum. Remove from the heat and add the fruit. Let stand 10 minutes before adding to the pumpkin mixture.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry until ⅛-inch thin. Use a 3-inch cookie cutter to cut 12 rounds. Brush surface lightly with egg wash.
- Place heaping teaspoon of filling in center of each round, fold over in half and seal. Place on cookie sheet, and brush each lightly with egg wash. Pierce each pastry surface with fork. Chill for 30 minutes, then bake until browned, approximately 20 minutes.
Video
Notes
An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables or fruits. The origins of empanadas can trace their roots back to Spain in the 1500’s and the Spanish colonizers introduced this dish to many Latin American countries. Empanadas also have strong similarities to Samosas from India which are meat-filled pies.
In the United States, pumpkin pie is the most popular dessert to serve during the Thanksgiving holiday. However, for most Mexican-American families, pumpkin empanadas are at the top of the dessert list!
