• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Shop Local, Eat Fresh at the Saratoga Farmers' Market | Food, Crafts, Music in Saratoga Springs

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!

Swiss Chard & Cheese Empanadas

November 20, 2014 By marketeditor

IMG_3628_2From “Garlic Mashed” to “Chorizo y Cheddar”, the many flavors of Ana’s Empanadas have attracted a large fan base for this Saratoga Farmers’ Market food vendor.

An empanada is a stuffed pastry, similar to a turnover. It is made by folding a circle of dough around a filling of spiced meat, vegetables, and/or cheese, so that the finished product forms a crescent, with the edges crimped by hand or sealed with the tines of a fork. Ana’s empanadas are baked, not fried, and served warm.

“Empanadas are popular snacks with anyone on the go, since they deliver a tasty meal in handheld package,” notes Robert DiTursi, who together with his wife, Ana, runs the business.

Ana’s Empanadas has drawn a loyal following during the last two summer seasons, prompting its decision to sign on for some of the winter months at Lincoln Baths in the Saratoga Spa State Park. (Ana’s Empanadas is on the second floor, in the back room, along with other hot food vendors. There’s also room to sit down and enjoy your food while listening to the live music.)

“We’re looking forward to being in Saratoga through the December holiday season. Then, from January through March, we’ll be focusing on baking empanadas for the skiers and snowboarders at Killington, in Vermont. In April, we’ll return to Saratoga on Saturdays.

Ana DiTursi began making empanadas, a tradition from her Argentine heritage, in her home kitchen in 2008 and selling them at the Rutland farmers’ market. The DiTursis quickly discovered that the empanadas were a hit, since they are easy to eat on the move. The business expanded to a commercial location where it now makes thousands of empanadas each week.

The many flavors of the empanadas are marked with distinct symbols, looking similar to a cattle brand. Sweet Onion includes caramelized onions, aged Cheddar, and spices, and is marked with a teardrop symbol, while Buenos Aires Beef (an Argentinian classic), has local beef, olives, peppers, onions, raisins, and spices, distinguished by a diamond mark.

In addition to empanadas, Ana’s stand also sells chimichurri sauce, a blend of parsley, garlic, and spices. The sauce is delicious on empanadas, as a condiment for grilled meats, or on hearty dishes such as Huevos Rancheros or rice and black beans.

“Traditionally, in Argentina, empanadas are often eaten as appetizers or at parties. We’re happy we can share a bit of Argentinian culture with customers at Saratoga Farmers’ Market. It will be interesting to see what the most favorite flavors are over the next several months. So far, the Chicken and Cheese and our weekly “market veggie” empanada, which uses the best of what is fresh from local farms, are our top sellers,” says Rob DiTursi.

 

Empanadas de Acelga con Queso (Swiss Chard & Cheese Empanadas)

Swiss chard is a versatile green. This simple recipe takes advantage of its autumn abundance and delicious flavor. Rainbow chard makes this empanada as colorful as it is delicious!

NOTE: Empanada dough (“discos”) can be purchased in packages of one dozen from Ana’s Empanadas at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, as can other items marked with an asterisk.

 

Ingredients

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion*, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp white or black pepper

1 bunch Swiss chard* (approx. 1 lb.)

3 eggs*, hardboiled and chopped

1/2 lb mozzarella or another mild cheese*

One package empanada discos* (12 circles) from Ana’s Empanadas

 

Directions

Filling Preparation:

In a large sauté pan, cook the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Add the bell pepper and seasonings. Sauté until the heat returns and everything is sizzling.

Add the Swiss chard and mix everything together. Cover and let cook over low heat until the chard is soft (about 10 minutes).

Transfer the mixture to a colander, placed over the sink or a bowl, to allow liquid to drain out. It is important that the filling is not too juicy, or it will make assembling the empanadas difficult. Let it cool for several minutes.

Once the mixture is cooled and strained, mix in the chopped egg and cheese.

 

Empanada Assembly:

Arrange the dough circles on a clean table and using a small ice-cream scoop, tablespoon or similar utensil, scoop out the filling onto the center of the disco.

Pick up the disco with both hands, stretching outward slightly as you lift and pinch the sides together so that you get a nice stuffed half-moon shape.

Be careful not to get any of the filling into the seam you are making; if you do, the empanada will not stay closed.

To finish assembly, put the empanada on the table and using a fork, go over the seam you made.

Arrange finished empanadas on a lightly greased tray and bake at 450 degrees for approximately 8 minutes or until the empanadas are golden brown and puffy.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Seasonal Recipes

Reader Interactions

Before Footer

Instagram

Produce from some of our amazing agriculture vendo Produce from some of our amazing agriculture vendors at today’s market!
Attention granola lovers!! Today is National Grano Attention granola lovers!! Today is National Granola Day. In honor of this, all sales with our friends from @toganola are 10% off this Saturday only! Their granola products are packaged in sustainable packaging and free of gluten, dairy & soy. 

Our winter market runs today from 9:3-1:30 in the Wilton Mall food court. Hope you can make it!

Photo of and provided by @toganola 

#saratogasprings #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #granola #toganola #thingstodoinupstateny #organic #shopsmall #shoplocal #nationalgranoladay
Our new 2023 Freshconnect $2 coupons arrived today Our new 2023 Freshconnect $2 coupons arrived today! For every $5 you spend using your SNAP/EBT card at our market, receive $2 in coupons. FreshConnect bucks can be used to buy: vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, honey, baked items, jams, plants that bear food, and prepared foods that are packed to eat at home. Plus, there’s no cap on issuance! Stop by our information stand to learn more. We’ll be open 9:30-1:30 tomorrow. ❄️🌾

#freshconnect #snap #ebt #nutrition #health #agriculture #shoplocal #shopssmall #farmtotable #saratogasprings #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #thingstodoinupstateny @wilton_mall_leasing
Interested in growing your business? Farmers’ ma Interested in growing your business? Farmers’ markets are a great way to start networking and finding your customer base. For 45 years, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market has provided a platform for local farmers, artisans, bakers and more build their businesses into what they are today. If you’d like to join our community, please submit your 2023 Summer Vendor application. The link can be found in our bio. Last day to apply is January 31st. DM us here or email me at sfma.manager@gmail.com with any questions!! 

#farmersmarket #startup #smallbusiness #shoplocal #entrepreneur #community #saratogasprings #thingstodoinupstateny #growyourbusiness

Footer

With support from our friends at:

Copyright © 2023 · Saratoga Farmers Market · Design by REACH CREATIVE

    COVID-19: Check our latest Safety Guidelines!
  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!