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Pumpkin Empanadas- Las Empanadas de mi Familia

Do you ever have one of those moments when you eat or smell a certain food and it takes you right back to being a kid?? This recipe for pumpkin empanadas does just that for me! My Mom would make these for us every Christmas without fail. But, my Mom was one of those cooks that had no recipes written down, she simply cooked from memory. And anyone that bakes, knows you really have to be a bit more exact with your measurements. When I returned to Mexico last year I was so excited to finally learn this recipe from my Tia Minerva, my Mom's younger sister. This was just my 3rd attempt at the recipe, and it was just like I remembered, my family's empanadas.

Ingredients:

For Dough
3½ cups flour
1¼ cups shortening
½ teaspoon anise seeds
1-inch piece of cinnamon stick
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
pinch of salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
You will need another cup of sugar, plus 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, set aside

For Pumpkin Filling
1 large can of pumpkin (not pie filling), about 4 cups
1 cup piloncillo or dark brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 tablespoon butter

The dough has the texture of a nice shortbread cookie with hints of cinnamon and anise.

1. Prepare the filling first, so it has a while to cool before you are ready to use. Melt the butter, add the pumpkin, brown sugar (or piloncillo) and spices. Cook on low, stirring often, until it becomes thick and darker in color. Taste for sugar and spices as it cooks down. I like to add spice to my taste, just add a tiny pinch at a time. Cook until most of liquid has evaporated, stir often.

2. Combine the anise seeds, cinnamon stick and ½ cup water in a glass cup. Cook in the microwave for 1½ minutes, strain and set aside. Melt the shortening in a microwave safe bowl, add the tea and stir gently stir. In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients and gradually add to the wet ingredients until dough forms. If it's still sticky, add a little more flour. Cover and let dough rest for a good hour in the refrigerator.

3. When filling is made and dough has rested, form 1½ in dough balls and set aside. Preheat the oven to 395ºF. Take one dough ball, roll in flour lightly, and press in tortilla press lined with a plastic freezer bag, cut to size (can also use the bottom of a flat plate) fill with 1½ to 2 tablespoons of filling. Fold over, and using a fork, press edges together to seal empanada.

4. Transfer empanadas to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. While still slightly warm, roll in a cinnamon/sugar mixture. Yields 24 small empanadas.

Note: In the original recipe, my Tia cooks down a fresh pumpkin in the pressure cooker with lots of piloncillo and also adds a little pork lard combined with the vegetable shortening. Next time I will try both! LOL!

I intended to make these for my husband to share with his coworkers... right, they never left the house!!

Other recipes by Sonia:

Mexican Red Rice
Buñuelos
Chile Relleno with Serrano Shrimp
Cheesy Chorizo Bread
Flank Steak Tacos
Queso Fundido with Barbeque Shrimp
Annatto-Citrus Marinated Chicken
Chile Garlic Shrimp Kabobs
Avocado Fries
Chicken Enchilada Soup with Chayotes
Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Chip Chimichangas

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Tags: Dessert, Empanadas, Pumpkin

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Comment by Sonia Mendez Garcia on December 2, 2012 at 10:53am: You are welcome Michelle!!! I need to make more soon too!

Comment by Michelle Gonzales on December 2, 2012 at 1:01am: I am so going to make these tomorrow!!! Such yummy comfort food when you have a sweet tooth!!! Thanks again for sharing Sonia!!

Comment by Sonia Mendez Garcia on November 23, 2012 at 6:51pm: Gracias Carlos!! I am extremely proud of this family recipe!!!! Thanks to my Tia Minerva in Monterrey, I was able to finally learn this hands on when I was in Mexico last year...:)

Comment by Carlos Lanza Sr. on November 23, 2012 at 6:43pm: They look absolutely delicious!!!!

Comment by Sonia Mendez Garcia on October 14, 2012 at 11:12pm: Gracias Rachel....a favorite of mine as a child too....took me right back.

Comment by Rachel Baca on October 14, 2012 at 5:58pm: My favorite as a child...mmmm good.;)

Comment by Sonia Mendez Garcia on October 13, 2012 at 4:00pm: Thanks Robin!! I just made another batch for my niece yesterday. I am visiting her here in North Carolina and wanted her to have a little taste of home....:)

Comment by Robin Smith on October 13, 2012 at 3:51pm: These look very yummy!!