Empanadas de Membrillo (Quince Empanadas)
Serves 24
30 mins prep
20 mins cook
50 mins total
Membrillo is delicious on its own, or paired with cheese, but even yummier when you take the time to encase it in a lightly sweet and flaky empanada. Floral quince makes a lovely deep orange filling for these little hand pies.
QUINCE JAM:
EMPANADA DOUGH:
GLAZE:
QUINCE JAM:
Grate the quince, including the peel with a cheese grater.
In a large stockpot bring water to a boil.
Add the grated quince, orange juice, and orange zest.
Reduce heat and simmer until the quince is soft, about 15 minutes.
Add the sugar and cinnamon and bring to a boil again. Stir to dissolve sugar.
Lower the heat to medium high. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally until quince jam thickens to desired consistency and water evaporates, about 40 to 50 minutes.
With a potato masher, mash the cooked preserves for a smooth texture.
MAKE EMPANADA DOUGH:
In a stand mixer mix the first 5 dry ingredients. Add in the shortening. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs and milk and combine with dry ingredients. Continue to combine until you have a soft dough. Split the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 20 to 30 minutes.
ASSEMBLE AND BAKE EMPANADAS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Divide empanada dough into 24 pieces. On a floured surface, roll out the dough pieces into small round circles. Place a small dollop of quince filling on one half of each of the rolled out circles. Wet the edges of the circles with water to help seal the two halves. Fold over the dough and seal off the edges with a fork by pressing down along the edges or braid the edge.
Brush each empanada with egg wash.
Puncture the top of each empanada with a fork to allow steam to escape while baking.
Place parchment paper on a large cookie sheet; place the empanadas on the cookie sheet and bake for 13 to 20 minutes on middle rack in the oven. If after 15 minutes you notice the bottoms of the empanadas starting to brown, move the cookie sheet to the top rack and continue to bake for the last 5 minutes, until golden brown.
