empanada

[ em-puh-nah-duh; Spanish em-pah-nah-thah ]

noun

, Latin-American Cooking.

1. a turnover or mold of pastry filled with chopped or ground meat, vegetables, fruit, etc., and usually baked or fried.

Word History and Origins

Origin of empanada¹

First recorded in 1920–25; from Latin American Spanish, equivalent to em- em- ¹ + pan “bread” + -ada, feminine of -ado -ate ¹

Example Sentences

It’s particularly useful when dealing with really plump baked goods, from extra-thick hand-rolled bagels to packed empanadas.

From Eater

Beer, wine and hard seltzer are available for sale, along with tacos and empanadas from Agua 301, though food can be carried in from any restaurant in the neighborhood.

From Washington Post

It also doesn’t hurt, she says, that the empanadas that they’ve always served travel particularly well.

From Eater

In the afternoon, especially on the weekends, a cup of coffee and a baked good like an empanada or cookie may be added.

From Eater

The locals’ favorite way to eat it is as the filling of a sweet empanada, though it’s also used to make candy or just eaten with a spoon.

From Eater