National Empanada Day is upon us, Houston . . . let us give thanks to one of the world's greatest and most versatile stuffed pastries.
First recorded in medieval Spain during the Moorish invasions, the mighty empanada has migrated across the globe for hundreds of years — leaving 21st century foodies with sweet and savory varieties found not only in the Americas, but in unexpected culinary corners as far away as Afghanistan and the Philippines.
In honor of the special day, Goode Company Seafood and Pollo Campero (4701 Washington or 5616 Bellaire) are serving up free Creole and Central American-style empanadas, respectively, on Monday.
But for anyone wanting to hunt down more unique empanada varietals, look no further than the "most diverse city in the United States." Here's a list of some Houston's faves to get you started.
Argentina
A veritable kingdom of empanadas, Argentina offers an overwhelming range. Luckily for us Houstonians, Marini's Empanadas House at Westheimer and Beltway 8 is up to the challenge with something close to 50 varieties.
In the Galleria area, try Tango & Malbec for an upscale Argentine empanada. For a more casual setting down the street on Sage, Argentina Cafe dishes out four savory styles of the popular treat for just $2.25.
Caribbean
More commonly known as "meat patties," the Caribbean empanada is typically a savory affair served as an appetizer or a sidewalk snack. Try Reggae Hut and Cafe Piquet for tastes of Jamaica and Cuba, respectively.
Peru
During lunch, the celebrated Latin Bites in Memorial has baked empanadas filled with beef tenderloin and covered in sauce made from Peruvian peppers.
Mexico
Mexican cuisine tends to lean towards the sweeter side, when it come to empanadas. For breakfast or dessert, try Montrose's La Guadalupana or the beloved Mexican-Jewish bakery Rustika Cafe at 59 and Buffalo Speedway.
Colombia
Mi Tierra at 7416 Fairbanks and Mi Pueblito at 9425 Richmond offer up Colombia's deep-fried, savory empanadas filled with meat or cheese.
Philippines
Dubbed the Flipanada, the Flip 'n' Patties food truck has its own version of a Filipino empanada filled with grass-fed beef and a hard-boiled egg.
United States
Try as I might, my CultureMap colleagues refused to accept McDonald's apple pie as the official "American empanada" . . . Actually, the history of the United States empanada goes back considerably further thanks to Louisiana's historic melting pot of world cuisines. Goode Company Seafood Company is offering free Creole shrimp empanadas with all its dinners on Monday.
Afghanistan
That's right — Afghanistan has a unique vegetarian empanada similar to an Indian samosa called the bolani that's stuffed with spinach, potatoes and lentils. For a taste, check out Afghan Cuisine in Sugar Land.
Colombian-style empanada with beef, potato, lime and cilantro at Batanga Houston
