Pastechi
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- • 3 cups all-purpose flour
- • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- • 1 tsp salt
- • 1 tsp annatto powder (for color)
- • ¾ cup ice water
For Cheese Filling:
- • 2 cups Gouda or Edam cheese, shredded
- • 1 egg, beaten
For Beef Filling:
- • 1 lb ground beef
- • 1 onion, diced
- • 2 cloves garlic, minced
- • 1 tomato, diced
- • 1 tbsp tomato paste
- • 1 tsp cumin
- • Salt and pepper to taste
For Frying:
- • Vegetable oil for deep frying
Instructions
- For dough: Combine flour, salt, and annatto in bowl.
- Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water gradually, knead until dough forms. Refrigerate 30 min.
- For beef filling: Brown ground beef, drain excess fat.
- Add onion, garlic, tomato, tomato paste, and cumin. Cook 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Cool completely.
- Roll dough to ⅛-inch thickness on floured surface.
- Cut into 5-inch circles using bowl or cutter.
- Place 2 tbsp filling (cheese or beef) on one half of circle.
- Fold dough over, press edges with fork to seal tightly.
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in deep fryer or pot.
- Fry pastechi 3-4 minutes until golden brown, turning once.
- Drain on paper towels, serve hot.
Chef's Notes
Pastechi is the beloved breakfast and snack staple of Aruba and Curaçao, similar to empanadas but with a flakier, crispier texture. Every morning, locals line up at "snèks" (snack shops) for freshly fried pastechi with their coffee.
The dough must be cold for the flakiest texture—this is crucial. Annatto powder gives the traditional orange-yellow color; substitute with a tiny pinch of turmeric if unavailable. Traditional fillings include Gouda cheese, ground beef, chicken, or fish, but cheese is the most popular. The key is sealing edges tightly to prevent filling from leaking during frying.
While best eaten immediately, pastechi can be frozen after assembly and fried directly from frozen (add 2 minutes cooking time). Serve with hot pepper sauce or ketchup for dipping. In Aruba, pastechi di keshi (cheese) is considered a hangover cure and beach food essential.