The Pumpkins Are Coming... The Pumpkins Are Coming

It’s September. That means the pumpkins are coming.  (I’m having a Paul Revere moment) They are ripening as you read this. Extremely exciting stuff, actually.

Pumpkins date back about 6000 years BC. Yep, and do you know where evidence was found showing their first use? You got it. Mexico. So where are we going with this bit of history?  Well, pumpkins, and indeed all squash, have become a staple food across the globe as well as a symbol for certain holidays such as Halloween. The range of recipes for using pumpkins is so broad it is near impossible to describe or summarize. Of course, pumpkin pies come to mind but there are options. For example, an empanada.

An empanada is a Spanish term for a filling wrapped in a bread-like crust.  Empanadas are a common feature in Mexican pastry and baking shops and a featured treat in all types of bakery stores. Fillings can be meat, vegetables, fruits and more. Think of it as a turnover. A favorite filling in October is a batter of spiced pumpkin. 

Don’t forget… empanadas filled with spicy vegetable or meat fillings are also amazing

Baking anything well . . . is an art.  The Komoda Store and Bakery in Makawao is a great example of that art.  They consistently deliver the fine art and flavor of baking. They are my benchmark of baking. Hats-off to them along with a sincere thank you. Particularly for the cream puffs!

This “web master” is hardly a master let alone a baker. I try, and I still try, but frankly the result is typically not totally great. That doesn’t mean I easily give up. In fact, am about to make some pumpkin empanadas as a “practice run” for what is to come in October. Want to try too? Here is the recipe I will use. The link is shown below - copy and paste it. Give it a go. Credits and respect sent to AllRecipes and, again, thank you to the Komoda Store and Bakery in Makawao for the inspiration.

During the pandemic … resilience is a key factor. Mahalo to all.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/216489/mexican-pumpkin-empanadas/