Latin American cuisine has gained immense popularity, and the snacks like salteña and empanada have become the ultimate favorite of people who like savory snacks and appetizers. However, many people don’t understand the differences between these snacks, which is why we have salteña vs. empanadas comparison in this article!
Salteñas vs Empanadas
Salteña
Salteña is basically the empanadas that are native to Bolivia but are named after Salta, the Argentinian city. The salteñas are different from empanadas in two ways – the braided seam that’s used to seal close the empanadas is placed on the top side and they are always baked in the upright position rather than on the side. They can be consumed whenever you want, including for breakfast. Salteña can be served with llajua, which is a Bolivian salsa.
For the most part, these snacks are consumed as mid-morning snacks and are readily available in Argentina (you can easily purchase them from Argentina). However, make sure that you eat these snacks from the top to make sure the juices don’t spill on the shirt. To illustrate, this is a savory pastry that’s usually filled with chicken, pork, or beef. The meat is mixed with a mildly spicy and sweet sauce that has potatoes, raisins, and olives.
There is a vegetarian variety as well, but it’s only available in some restaurants. Keep in mind that every city and town throughout Argentina has a different variety of salteña, but Sucre and Cochabamba have the most delicious versions available. In case you are concerned about the availability, the street vendors start selling them early in the morning and empty the cart by mid-morning. These savory pastries were first made in the early 19th century in Europe and quickly gained popularity.
Salteña is known to have a juicy texture (it looks like stew has been used as a filling for these pastries). To make the juicy filling, the stew is made from the desired ingredients, and gelatin is added to harden the filling. As these treats are baked, the filling starts melting (no, it doesn’t make the dough soggy). For the most part, these snacks have a football shape, so hold them in the upright position and take a bite from the top corner.
Empanadas
Empanadas are crunchy and extremely filling snacks. These snacks are incredibly versatile, and every city in Latin America has its own variety. It’s said that empanadas were first made in 1600 BC, and they became popular in Latin America when people from Spain immigrated to the country. These snacks are known to have a unique crescent shape and are stuffed with a variety of seafood, meat, cheese, spices, and sauces.
The Latin American version of empanadas has ham and cheese or beef filling with some peppers, raisins, and olives. In addition, they are served with aji as the dipping sauce. This sauce is made from the combination of salt pepper, lime, cilantro, and tomatoes and is known as Colombian salsa. To make these snacks, the flour is mixed with water and kneaded to achieve a soft consistency. After kneading, the dough is covered for an hour (you can prepare filling during this time).
Once the dough is ready, it is flattened with the help of a baking pin or a roller. The round cutouts are made with the help of a pan lid or soup bowl to make sure the dough is round. Then, the filling is placed on one side, and the other half of the dough is added to the filling area for coverage. The edges are sealed with beaten egg or water, and many people use the fork’s tines to reinforce the excess dough. They are enjoyed as a side or snack.
On top of everything, the empanadas are made in sweet versions as well (queso and guava empanadas). During the initial days, tuna or chicken was mixed with onions and bell peppers to make the filling, but today, the fillings also include ham, tuna, chicken, beef, lobster, crab, and Mexican chorizo, and pulled pork. In addition, vegetables, cheese, and baked potatoes are also added.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that both these savory snacks are popular in Latin America, but there are some significant differences. The empanadas are made by frying, while saltenas are made by baking.