Argentina's famous empanadas

Quick snack

Food again, after my ruminations on the Andean potato. (I try to write this blog first thing after breakfast, when I’m not hungry, but it doesn’t always work out that way).

 

Empanadas, as the Brits who have joined Poncho Tours on a trip to Argentina will know, are like small Cornish pasties.

 

The Cornish pasty dates back to the 14th century, but it really took hold 300 years later among the families of tin miners of Cornwall: it was a clever way of using left-overs from Sunday lunch over the following working week, wrapped up in pastry for convenience.

 

Meanwhile, the empanada we know in South America is though to have originated, like many good things for the table (Shiraz wine, for example) in Persia, modern day Iran, more than 2,000 years ago.

 

As with the Cornish miners, they were convenient snacks during the long camel trains through the desert.

 

The Moors who conquered southern Spain and founded the empire of al Andaluz in the 8th century naturally brought their culinary traditions to the mainland (as well as their pillows: almohada is an Arabic word).

 

Indeed, in north west Argentina, the original open square folded empanadas are called empanadas arabeses or known as fatay or esfilha to the Arabic immigrant communities here.  

 

Unlike the heft of a Cornish pasty, the typical Argentine empanada could fit in the heel of your hand.

 

Those from my adopted home province of Salta are the most famous in the country, and have even been copied north across the border in Bolivia, where they’re simply called “salteñas”.

 

Our empanadas are most commonly filled with meat (which should never be minced, but is always pure beef chopped by hand); green spring onions, boiled egg and potato are normally added to the mix, though every household jealously guards their own recipe.

 

Chicken empanadas are the next most common, while cheese empanadas are good for vegetarians (though check they haven’t sneakily added ham, as jamon and queso pies are increasingly popular).

 

Sweetcorn empanadas are seasonally available, from summer through to autumn.

 

In Jujuy province, home to the Quebrada de Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes salt flats, it’s common to find empanadas filled with llama, quinoa, goats cheese or charqui (dried meat, made over winter from beef or llama).

 

There are surprisingly few restaurants providing the full gamut of empanada possibilities, so if you are on a trip to Argentina and love these little pies, seek out the Casa de las Empanadas in Cafayate.

 

They have at least 12 varieties, including caprese, three cheeses, salami, greek-style and many more. It’s one of the best places to eat a quick snack in the Valles Calchaquies wine region, washed down with a glass of Torrontes or Malbec.

 

Contact details on their Facebook page.  

Duration
5 days
Group Size
1 to 4

Wine and History: Mendoza to Cafayate

Take the long and winding road from Mendoza to Cafayate, visiting lesser known boutique wineries in San Juan, La Rioja, and Catamarca along the way.

This deep immersion into the wine and culture of Argentina is perfect for those who want to combine an exploration of the rich history of the region with some of its best off the beaten track wineries, while driving through some breathtaking scenery close to the Andes.

Our journey begins in the hub of Argentine wine production, Mendoza, taking the iconic Route 40 north through the emerging wine regions of La Rioja, Catamarca, and Tucuman.

Apart from some out of the way family wineries which can only be discovered with local knowledge, we also explore some of the most impressive pre-Hispanic historic sites in Argentina.

Click here to view map route.

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Duration
3 days
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Classic Wine Route

Explore the varied landscape of the Valles Calchaquies and its excellent boutique wineries in this Argentine wine tour par excellence.

Our Classic wine route combines Salta's superb boutique wineries in the highest altitude wine region in the world with the breathtaking landscape of north west Argentina.

Apart from the ubiquitous Malbec, this area is known for its fine Torrontes and Tannat, not to mention its wine ice cream!

We can often combine this trip with our Salt & 7 Colours tour by taking the mountain pass of Abra el Acay, the highest road crossing in the world outside the Himalayas, at just under 5,000m altitude.

Click here to view map route.

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Duration
6 days
Group Size
1 to 4

Wine and History: Salta to Mendoza

Take the long and winding road from Salta to Mendoza, visiting lesser-known boutique wineries in Catamarca, La Rioja, and San Juan along the way.

This deep immersion into the wine and culture of Argentina is perfect for those who want to combine an exploration of the rich history of the region with some of its best off-the-beaten-track wineries, through some breathtaking scenery close to the Andes. Apart from Argentina’s classic red Malbec, we’ll be sampling lesser-known varieties like Tannat, and discovering the Argentine take on classics like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinot Grigio.

Our journey begins in the highest altitude wine region in the world, the Valles Calchaquies in Salta, famous for its production of Torrontes, a white grape variety that is unique to Argentina. From Salta’s principal wine town of Cafayate, we take the iconic Route 40 south, through the emerging wine regions of Tucuman, Catamarca, and La Rioja, before arriving in the provinces of San Juan and Mendoza, producers of 93% of the nation’s wine.

Click here to view map route.

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Duration
3 days
Group Size
1 to 4

Bolivia’s high altitude wine

Allow us to introduce you to one of the world’s lesser known wine regions: Tarija in Bolivia. With vineyards at 1,850m, this is one of the highest altitude wine regions in the world.

The quality of wine, particularly its trademark Tannat red variety, has developed hugely over the last 15 years, while its traditional singani spirit distilled from white Muscat of Alexandria grapes is also excellent.

Join us for a unique and personalised experience in one of the emerging wine regions in the world.

This trip can be combined with hiking in Calilegua or a longer tour also incorporating the new wine region of Jujuy province, Fourteen Colours and Cloud Forest.