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Jack-o'-Lantern Empanadas 1

Jack-o'-Lantern Empanadas

These savory Halloween empanadas combine the festive spirit of carved pumpkins with delicious flavors, creating a unique dish that's as fun to make as it is to eat. With their vibrant orange color and spooky faces, they're guaranteed to be the showstopper at your Halloween gathering!
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Halloween, Latin American
Servings 12 empanadas
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Pastry Cutter or Food Processor
  • Round Cookie Cutter (4-5 inch)
  • Small Cookie Cutters or Sharp Knife
  • Large Skillet

Ingredients
  

For the Dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour substitute with gluten-free flour blend if needed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
  • 1 egg
  • 4-5 tbsp ice water
  • orange food coloring natural or artificial
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

For the Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef or plant-based meat alternative
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/3 cup green olives sliced
  • 1/4 cup raisins optional for sweet contrast
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Mix flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Beat the egg with ice water, add orange food coloring to achieve desired shade, and gradually mix into the flour mixture until a dough forms.
  • Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent (about 3 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
  • Add bell pepper, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add tomato sauce, olives, and raisins if using. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 4-5 inch round cutter to cut circles.
  • Before sealing the empanadas, use small cookie cutters or a sharp knife to cut eyes, nose, and mouth shapes on one half of each dough circle, creating classic jack-o'-lantern faces.
  • Place a heaping tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle.
  • Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon, carefully positioning the cut-out faces on top. Press edges together and crimp with a fork.
  • Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush with egg wash for a golden finish.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and the filling is hot. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For a perfect Jack-o'-Lantern color, start with a small amount of food coloring and gradually increase. Natural alternatives include turmeric with a touch of paprika for an orange hue without artificial ingredients.
Don't overfill your empanadas as this is the #1 mistake that leads to filling leakage during baking.
For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with a mixture of black beans, corn, and diced mushrooms.
These empanadas can be prepared ahead and frozen before baking. When ready to serve, bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 15gFat: 24gSodium: 480mgFiber: 2g
Keyword Halloween, Empanadas, Jack-o-Lantern, Savory Halloween, Themed Food
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