Celebrate Fall with Delicious Summer Pear Empanadas
This summer we were fortunate to have plenty of pears on our trees. I had previously baked some pears earlier in the week but I realized we had too many to eat. That said, I had to be a bit more creative on how to use them.
Fall is the season for warm, comforting desserts, and what better way to celebrate than with delicious empanadas filled with summer pears? There are two options for using your summer pears in fall empanadas: freezing the pears for later baking or baking and freezing the empanadas for enjoying later.
If you choose to freeze the pears, start by dicing them into small pieces. Then, toss them with lemon juice and a bit of sugar to help preserve their flavor and texture. Place the pears in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to six months. When you’re ready to make the empanadas, simply thaw the pears and use them as you would fresh ones. Alternatively, you can bake the empanadas and then freeze them for later enjoyment.
Did you know that empanadas are a staple in Colombian cuisine? They come in all sorts of flavors, savory and sweet. I grew up eating empanadas and they are my number one go-to comfort food.
Today, I made some delicious pear empanadas using pre-bought Goya empanada shells! Even though I cooked the filling from scratch, I didn’t feel like making pastry today so I decided to take a shortcut. Pear empanadas are a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. This recipe uses maple syrup and vanilla to enhance the natural sweetness of the pears, while cinnamon adds a warm, comforting flavor. For the filling, you will need:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of peeled and diced pears
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of self-rising flour
- Goya frying empanadas shells
Instructions:
(Note: The empanada shells can be fried but I prefer to bake them because it’s a bit healthier.)
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the diced pears, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Toss the ingredients together until the pears are well-coated.
- Add the self-rising flour to the bowl and mix until it is well incorporated.
- Cook on medium until the mixture reaches your desired texture. (You can skip this cooking step completely if you’d like the pears firmer.)
- Take one of the Goya frying empanada shells and place about 2 tablespoons of the pear filling in the center.
- Fold the shell in half and use a fork to press the edges together, sealing the empanada.
- Place the empanada on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Repeat steps 4-6 until all of the filling has been used.
- Bake the empanadas for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Remove the empanadas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
These pear empanadas are a sweet and satisfying dessert that will impress your guests. The combination of maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon creates a warm and comforting flavor that perfectly complements the juicy pears. The Goya frying empanada shells make this recipe quick and easy to prepare, so you can spend more time enjoying your delicious creation.
No matter which option you choose, these summer pear empanadas are sure to be a hit at your fall gatherings. Enjoy the flavors of summer all year long with this simple and delicious recipe.
