DOTD For Wednesday, April 8, 2026
A Perfect Drink To Go With One Of Our Favorite Foods!
Today’s DOTD - Drink Of The Day - is a Pastry War Margarita inspired by National Empanada Day!
Originally from Galicia, Spain, empanadas now exist in over 30 countries in some shape or form. The name comes from “empanar”, which means “to bread” in Spanish and Portuguese, though some jokingly argue that the true meaning is “Can I have another?” That might not be a historical fact (it’s not), but we can keep the spirit of that idea alive when National Empanada Day comes rolling in on April 8.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY
An empanada is a type of fried or baked pastry with Spanish origins. The name is derived from the Spanish term ‘empanar,’ which literally translates into English as ‘to bread,’ meaning to coat in bread. The dough or bread used for making empanadas is stuffed with tasty fillings of meat, vegetables, and in some cultures, fruit. The dish is also popular in Latin American and southern European countries.
The exact origins of empanadas are linked to Portugal and and the area of northwest Spain known as Galicia. The pastry made its first appearance during the Moorish invasions in Medieval Iberia around 715 CE. In 1520, a cookbook featuring Catalan, Arabian, French, and Italian food had seafood-filled empanadas listed as one of its recipes. It is widely believed that empanadas and its similar cousin, the calzone, are both inspired by samosas — a triangular-shaped hand pie popular in Arab and South Asian cultures, which great to eat on the go. Portuguese and Galician empanada fillings include sardines, tuna, other types of seafood, and sometimes pork, in a sauce prepared from tomatoes and garlic.
NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY TIMELINE
100 B.C. First Evidence: The first evidence of an empanada dates back to Ancient Persia.
711 A.D. Empanadas Make an Appearance: During the time of the Moorish invasions, empanadas start to appear in medieval Iberia.
1520 Recipe for Empanada: The first recipe for empanadas is published in a Spanish cookbook in Catalan.
16th century Making Waves: The Spanish present their recipe for the empanada to the Aztecs and Mayans.
NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY FAQS
What are empanadas traditionally filled with?
Empanadas are savory pastries with a dough shell filled with vegetables, tuna, cheese, chicken, beef, and tuna, either dry or mixed in a sauce. The final pastry is either fried or baked.
Which country started empanadas?
Empanadas originated in Spain but today, they’re also popular across Latin American countries including Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and more. Additionally, each country has developed its own unique fillings and styles.
What is the difference between an empanada and a samosa?
The main difference between empanadas and samosas is their shape. Empanadas are crescent-shaped while samosas are triangular-shaped.
5 TASTY FACTS ABOUT EMPANADAS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES
Empanadas have many variants
There are so many, it’s hard to accurately describe. For example, every region of Argentina has its own version of empanadas.
Empanadas are often the center of attention
In Argentina, empanadas aren’t just a snack or an appetizer or starter, They’re served as a main course at get-togethers and parties.
Synonym for empanadas
In Belize, empanadas are known as panades.
Empanadas are important in Chile
In Chile, empanadas are consumed in large quantities, especially during the country’s national days.
The pastry shell has different recipes too
While the dough in many places is wheat flour-based, in traditional Venezuelan cuisine, empanadas are made with ground corn dough instead.
REASONS TO LOVE NATIONAL EMPANADA DAY
Empanadas are the perfect finger food
They come wrapped in an edible, flaky container, which means you don’t need pesky utensils. Doesn’t matter if you’re at a restaurant or food truck, every bit of goodness will safely reach its destination (psst, that’s your mouth). Best of all, they’re a breeze to share with your friends...but no one’s saying you have to do that.
They make a mean dessert
Most people are aware of the meat and cheese variety, but you can stuff empanadas with pretty much anything. This could be sweet potatoes, peaches, or even guava paste. Of course, in these cases they tend to resemble more of a puff pastry. In Bolivia, they like to have the best of both worlds. There you can find salteñas that are filled with a sweet and spicy soup. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, we’ll take them off your hands (strictly for research purposes).
There’s endless variety
Remember, more than 30 countries have their own version of empanadas, so you’re bound to find one that fits your taste. If you can’t live without peanuts, you might want to check out Colombia—parts of the country add peanuts and top things off with an aji sauce. Or maybe you can’t decide between noodles and bread? In that case, Indonesia has you covered, as their local variety comes chock full of potatoes, carrots, chicken, and glass noodles.
Empanadas pair well with drinks
With so many varieties of empanadas, there are an equally broad number and array of drinks that go with them. And on National Empanada Day our Drink Of The Day is a Pastry War Margarita!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’re going to need for this drink:
