Pastechis (Antillean Meat Turnovers)
🕒 Total Time: 2 hours | 🍴 Servings: 60 cocktail pastechis
Description:
A cherished recipe from our time living on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, Pastechis are savory meat turnovers that embody the flavors of the region. Though it requires some time and effort, the end result is undoubtedly worth it! These delightful turnovers, filled with a savory meat mixture, are encased in a homemade pastry dough that crisps up beautifully when fried. While the recipe traditionally calls for ground beef, we love to add chunks of cheese into the filling for an extra layer of indulgence. Just be sure to seal the edges of the turnovers securely to prevent any leakage, especially if you include cheese in the filling!

Ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 green peppers
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1 tomato
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 bouillon cube
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
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Saute Vegetables: Begin by sautéing the finely chopped onion, garlic, green pepper, celery, and parsley in a little oil until they are soft and fragrant.
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Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the sautéed vegetables and cook until it is well done and browned.
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Season: Stir in the bouillon cube, cumin, tomato paste, and, if necessary, a little water to create a flavorful sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer until the bouillon cube is fully dissolved and the flavors have melded together.
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Add Remaining Ingredients: Once the base is seasoned to your liking, add the chopped tomato, Tabasco sauce, salt, pepper, nutmeg, curry powder, capers, raisins, and Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
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Adjust Spices: Taste the filling and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. Feel free to add more Tabasco sauce for extra heat or adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
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Fill Pastechis: Take one generous teaspoon of the prepared filling and place it onto a round of Pastechi Pastry dough.
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Fold and Seal: Carefully fold the pastry round in half over the filling, creating a semi-circle shape. Use your fingers to seal and crimp the edges tightly to prevent any filling from leaking out during frying.
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Fry: Heat oil in a deep frying pan or skillet until it reaches the frying temperature. Gently place the sealed pastechis into the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
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Drain and Serve: Once cooked, remove the pastechis from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove any excess oil. Serve the turnovers warm and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions:
These Pastechis are delicious on their own, but we love to serve them with a side of ketchup for dipping. They make for a delightful appetizer or snack, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Enjoy the flavors of the Caribbean with every bite of these savory meat turnovers!