Empanadas de iglesia

An Empanada de iglesia ("church pattie") is a Colombian Spanish term referring to a pastry which has the same makings as a regular Empanada (a fried corn flour casing filled with mashed potatoes with ground meat, chicken or cheese), but without meat.

Typical church patties will be filled with potatoes cooked with tomatoes and onions, or simply be made of just the fried corn flour casing alone.

Given that the Catholic Church states that their followers should not eat meat on Fridays, church patties are a common sight on church gatherings in Colombia, as well as at at home for people who closely follow the faith's food mandates, hence the name of the pastries.

Church patties are not restricted to Catholics, as it's commonplace in Colombia to refer to meatless patties as such.

SPANISH:

"Quiubo, Tía. ¿Tenés algo de comer?"

"Mijo, aquí le tengo unas empanadas de iglesia de sobra que le puedo calentar de ayer."

"Bueno, así como para engañar el hambre..."

ENGLISH

"Hey, auntie. Do you have something to eat?"

"Here, dear, I've got some church patties that I can heat up for you."

"Oh, well. A little something for the hunger..."