You’ve experienced the classic chicken or steak empanadas, a dough pastry filled with goodness. But the fillings of these seven empanadas have a slight twist — they are made with an unexpected combo of ingredients. From sweet to spicy to surprising, these empanadas are worth a try.
1. Wikipedia 2. Gemma Stafford 3. The Food Group 4. Wikimedia 5. Wikipedia 6. Wikipedia 7. Dave Gonzalez
Muriel Vega is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, GA. She’s on a life quest to find the best tamales. You can follow her cooking adventures on her Instagram: @kickmuri.
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Empanada Mendocinas. These Argentinian empanadas are filled with beef, onions, paprika, hot pepper powder, cumin, oregano, hard-boiled egg and olives.
Wikipedia
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Chocolate dulce de leche Empanadas. Chocolate on the outside and gooey, sweet dulce de leche inside? Sign us up.
Laylita
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Rattlesnake Empanada. A specialty out in the Death Valley in California, the rattlesnake empanada is a local delicacy. It can be found in certain restaurants in the area, including the Furnace Creek Dining Room.
The Food Group
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Seafood Empanadas. These empanadas are filled with a variety of seafood, including shrimp. You can add onions and other veggies to accompany it, but sometimes the simplicity of fresh seafood is more than enough.
Wikimedia
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Panades. In Belize, empanadas are called panades and they are sold as street food. They are made with corn dough and deep fried. Filled them up with fish, beans or your favorite protein. They are then topped with cabbage.
Wikipedia
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Mpanatigghi. These sweet empanadas originated in Italy. They are with a mixture of almonds, walnuts, chocolate, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and minced beef. They are a little weird, yet really delicious.
Wikipedia
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Chamorro Style Empanadas. These Mariana Islands pastries are filled with ground, toasted rice, red chili, black pepper, garlic, and annatto, a natural food coloring from the achiote tree.
Dave Gonzalez/Dave Bakes