Every other year the Moya family comes together for the holidays.  This year we planned on arriving early to help with the preparations.  Making epanadas is a New Mexico and a long family tradition.  To the left, Andrew received crimping lessons from  Russ  this year.
Empanadas are a type of small sweet-meat pie.  Their filling is a combination beef, pork, sugar, pinon, and spices.  The meat is boiled and ground.  The sugar and spices are added to taste.  Tortilla dough is made and cut into small circles.  The meat mixture is put into half of the circle and the tortilla is folded.  Crimping the edges of the empanada adds decoration and provides a good seal before frying.  Great Grandma Ida quietly crimps out her next empanada while the rest of the family compares their work to hers.  She still has the last word on the important details of the day. 
The empanadas end up in Ben's hands as his part of the process is frying the treats.  The small kitchen has brought him outside with the work.  He guarantees even browning this year as long as the crimpers have kept their seals tight.

 

back  NEXT