Empadas are a popular street food in Brazil, available in various fillings and sizes. They are made with a flour and butter crust and are often filled with local or seasonal ingredients, including olives. They are distinct from empanadas and other similar pastries.
An empada is among the most popular street foods in Brazil. Pastry is available in food carts, fast food restaurants and gas stations. It is a stuffed piece of bread that comes with various fillings such as meat, seafood, seasonal vegetables, cheese, and sauces. With similarities to other types of pastry such as a momo, calzone, samosa or empanada, however, distinct characteristics distinguish the empada from them.
The pastry or turnover variant occupies both a meal and a snack in Brazil. Large empadas are often served at dinner and feed several people. The smaller version is known as an empadinha in Portuguese, translated into English as “little empada.” The mini version is a popular and widely available snack throughout Brazil. People buy them from fast food restaurants, street vendors, at sporting events, and as an option to grab at markets.
Empadas are made with an outer crust formed from flour and butter. The dough is pressed into a round mold and filled. The top layer of the crust is sealed onto the mold and butter or egg white is brushed onto the crust. The empada is then cooked. It can be served warm, hot or cold, depending on personal preference.
It is a versatile food due to the many filling options available. Brazilians typically like to fill empadas with seasonal or local fare. Traditional empadas can be filled with shredded chicken, olives and hearts of palm, but other options extend to shrimp, fish, red meat and any number of vegetables. Cheese options are also available and are usually open-faced instead of having a top layer of crust. Cream or tomato sauce can also be included in the combinations.
Olives hold a special place of honor in an empada. Traditionalists insist on including olives in foods regardless of other fillings used. The Brazilian expression “olive in empadinha,” meaning something that is necessary and beneficial, is thought to represent the importance of olives to the dish.
Empadas are often confused with empanadas; despite similar names, the two pastries have different characteristics. Empanadas usually have a semi-circular shape instead of the more rounded empadas. They are also more likely to be filled with beef and have a tougher, less flaky crust. The snacks also resemble, but remain distinct from, the stuffed bread foods popular in other countries. These include the deep-fried momos of Tibet and Nepal, Italian calzones and Southeast Asian samosas.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
