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Jamaican Patty vs Empanada?
Are They The Same?
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by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer
It is not often that a Jamaican cuisine dish is confused with that of another nationality because Jamaican dishes tend to be unique not only in look but also in flavour. However, that is not the case for the Jamaican patties which have a striking resemblance to the very popular Mexican snack, empanadas.
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However familiar in appearance the two are quite different, not just in flavours but also in the way they are prepared, their versatility and their origin.
What is an Empanada?
An empanada is a crescent-shaped fried or baked pastry. The bread is stuffed with a variety of contents depending on the occasion and your preference after it has been produced with flour dough or corn flour dough.
Origin of Empanadas
Empanadas can be made using a wide variety of doughs, fillings, and cooking techniques all over Latin America. However, the majority of varieties have the same origins in Galicia, Spain.
They first appeared during the medieval Iberian Moorish invasions. In fact, a 1520 Catalan cookbook depicting regional French, Italian, Arabic, and Catalan cuisine specifically calls out empanadas! Bakers would make the pastries at that time in rectangular or round pies. They would then cut them into individual servings.
What is a Jamaican patty?
Jamaican patties are flaky pastries in the shape of a half-moon, with dough that is a vibrant yellow colour and a savoury, spiced filling. They are baked instead of fried, and they are remarkably simple to make. These mouthwatering Caribbean appetizers can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as chicken or curry veggies. The Jamaican beef patties, which combine ground beef, seasonings, and a small number of breadcrumbs for binding, are arguably the most well-known.
Origin of Jamaican Patty
Many Cornish ships and sailors participated in the triangle of routes in the 17th century. This involved the commerce of sugar, slaves, spices, and other goods between England, East Africa, and the Caribbean.
Jamaican place names like Cornwall County, Falmouth, and Trelawney Parish still reflect this today. As a result, Jamaican Patties are derived from Cornish Pasties.
The Cornish Pasty went to Jamaica with the Cornish sailors. Local ingredients were added as they evolved. Additionally, to accommodate people's preferences and palates. subsequently evolving into the Jamaican patties we know today.
Indentured workers who went to the Caribbean to work after slavery was abolished also contributed to the Chinese and Indian influences in the spices.
Similarities Between Empanadas and Jamaican Patties
- Both are a form of meat pie, an enclosed dough with flavourful filings.
- They are similar in shape, both having a crescent shape.
- They both are known traditionally as a snack.
Differences Between Empanadas and Jamaican Patties
- The dough of empanadas is thick and more doughy than that of Jamaican patties which are thin, crisp and flaky.
- Jamaican patty doughs are pretty standard while empanadas have various shapes and sizes.
- Empanadas are traditionally fried while Jamaican patties are baked.
- The fillings of empanadas are more versatile, not just protein as there are even fruit-filled empanadas. Jamaican patties are filled with meats, seafood or vegetables.
- Traditional and the more popular empanadas are smaller in size and served with a dipping sauce while Jamaican patties are a bit bigger but had by themselves or with Jamaican coco bread.
Popular Empanadas
- Easy Ham and Honey Empanadas
- Potato Empanadas
- Apple and Dulce de Leche Empanadas
- Beef Pastelitos
- Strawberry and Cream Cheese Pastelitos
- Molotes with Mushrooms, Roasted Green Chiles, and Cheese
- Chicken, Cheese and Mushroom Empanadas
- Guava Paste and Cheese Empanadas
Popular Patty Fillings
- Ground beef
- Ground beef and cheese
- Curry chicken
- Jerk chicken
- Curry goat
- Curry shrimp
- Steamed callaloo and cabbage
- ackee and saltfish
Like the empanadas, the most popular Jamaican patty is the beef-filled ones. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is your time to grab one and compare your own. Rather make your own from home? Well, we have the perfect traditional beef patty recipe right here. Enjoy!
Watch Video! Jamaican Patty Challenge
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References & Sources For Jamaican Patty vs Empanada
- Empanadas: A taste of spain – mexicali blue (no date). Available at: https://www.mexicali-blue.com/empanadas-a-taste-of-spain/ (Accessed: December 21, 2022).
- Gonzalez, C. (2013) Empanadas for every taste: 15 great recipes! - parade: Entertainment, recipes, health, life, holidays, Parade. Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Available at: https://parade.com/232327/claragonzalez/empanadas-for-every-taste-15-great-recipes/ (Accessed: December 20, 2022).
- Island delight, and the origins of the Jamaican patties (2022) Island Delight. Available at: https://www.island-delight.co.uk/history-of-the-jamaican-patty/ (Accessed: December 20, 2022).
- Tieso, M. (2020) What are empanadas: A guide on everything you need to know, Matero. Matero. Available at: https://yerbamatero.com/blogs/food-recipes/what-are-empanadas-guide-everything-you-need-to-know (Accessed: December 20, 2022).
- Victoria (2022) Jamaican beef patties, Mission Food Adventure. Available at: https://mission-food.com/jamaican-beef-patties/ (Accessed: December 20, 2022).
Jamaican Patty vs Empanada | Written: December 21, 2022
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