Saturday, the Park City Library will host “Sabores Hispanos — Empanada Edition,” featuring five varieties of the savory pastry from Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and Mexico, each highlighting why the dish is beloved across Latin America.
“They’re not all bringing the same thing — they’re bringing whatever they feel best represents their country,” said Flor Santa Maria, Spanish services librarian, about the empanadas and presentations.
The event, which will be held in partnership with Lectura Lounge, a local nonprofit dedicated to literacy, multilingualism and community building, promises a cultural experience for all the senses.
Live music and dance paired with empanada sampling will turn the library’s first floor into a showcase of flavor from 1-4 p.m. Additional planned activities include interactive workshops, crafts and storytime readings for all ages. Families can take part in paper and playdough crafts that teach the process of making empanadas and the different folding techniques involved.
Participants will also have the chance to create bracelets inspired by the colors of Latin American flags.
“They can make the flag of the country they come from, one they want to represent, or even the one tied to their favorite empanada,” Santa Maria said.
Tying into the event’s theme, local author Yamile Saied Méndez will lead a storytelling session during the event, reading from her children’s book “Pockets of Love.” The story follows a young girl who discovers the warmth of family and culture through her grandmother’s empanadas.
Santa Maria said the title “Pockets of Love” is the perfect way to describe empanadas because the dough can be filled with whatever someone prefers, and each one is a reflection of culture, home or personal taste. For her, the beauty of an empanada lies in that adaptability, whether it’s a traditional recipe handed down through generations or simply leftovers folded into dough, the result is always flavorful and unique, she said.
Beyond the ingredients, the process of making empanadas is often communal. Santa Maria recalled how, as a child, she and her family would gather in the kitchen, each person taking a role in filling, folding and sealing the dough.
“Empanadas are such a nostalgic thing because we all grew up with a different version of it,” she said. “Whether they were the typical ones or not, it was always part of a tradition, something that brought people together.”
Santa Maria noted that in Argentina alone, provinces debate over what belongs in a meat empanada — some add potatoes, others raisins or olives — showing how the dish reflects local identities while sparking friendly competition.
For more information see parkcity.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=207245.