Take a culinary journey into tradition with these delightful *Empanadas de Calabasa Sefardicas*—Sephardic Pumpkin Turnovers that blend sweet, spiced pumpkin filling with a tender, golden crust. This recipe is inspired by the rich heritage of Sephardic Jewish cuisine, featuring a fragrant filling made with pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cloves, optionally enhanced with plump raisins for extra texture. Encased in a simple olive oil dough, these empanadas are crimped to perfection and brushed with an egg wash for irresistible crispness. Perfect as a snack, dessert, or holiday treat, these turnovers are baked to golden perfection in just 25 minutes. Whether served warm or at room temperature, they’re a seasonal showstopper that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy!
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
Add olive oil to the dry ingredients and mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add the water, mixing until a soft and pliable dough forms. Knead lightly, wrap in plastic wrap, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar, and raisins (if using). Mix thoroughly and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball. Roll each ball into a thin circle, about 4-5 inches in diameter.
Place a heaping tablespoon of the pumpkin filling onto the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
Crimp the edges with a fork to seal the empanadas tightly. This will also give them a decorative edge.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the empanadas with the egg wash for a golden finish.
Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. These can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Calories |
276 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.1 g | 13% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.6 g | 8% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 18 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 201 mg | 9% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.1 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.7 g | ||
| Protein | 4.2 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 31 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 250 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.