Decoratively Sealing Empanadas, Calzones, and Pies | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between an empanada and a calzone? ›

Despite their similar half-moon shape, empanadas and calzones are two very distinct foods with completely different origins and flavors. Empanadas are a type of stuffed pastry found in Latin America and Spain while calzones are a baked pizza-style Italian turnover.

Argentine empanadas with beef, cheese, or chicken. Chilean empanadas with beef, cheese, or seafood. Mexican empanadas with spicy beef, potato, or pumpkin.

Calzones' fillings do not include sauce; marinara is served on the side for dipping. Stromboli portions can also be dipped, but they can also be baked with the sauce inside.

Calzones also start with pizza dough, but instead of forming a large rectangle, a small or medium ball is rolled or stretched out into a round. Fillings are added to one side and the dough is folded over, creating a half moon shape.

The panzerotto is to be found throughout southern Italy. In Naples it goes under the name of pizza fritta and in Salento calzone but his majesty the panzerotto reigns in Bari and the surrounding area. This is the version we shall be comparing with the Argentine empanada.

Pizza dough and empanada dough are different for one significant reason: Pizza dough uses yeast to allow it to rise, whereas empanada dough does not. Empanadas don't require resting time or lots of kneading. In fact, the less you work the dough, the better, as it leaves the pastry tender and flaky.

empanada, a baked or fried pastry stuffed with any of a variety of fillings, such as meat, cheese, vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients. Empanadas can be found around the world, especially in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.