Three Sisters Empanadas
These empanadas are made with a mixture of corn, beans and squash — a marriage that’s traditionally known as “The Three Sisters.” When I lived in Colorado, there were a number of Tex-Mex restaurants that offered burritos and enchiladas featuring a blend of three sisters vegetables. At that time I was a broke college student and a vegetarian, so I had my fair share.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) whole-wheat flour
- 3/4 cup (105 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted cold butter, cubed
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup ice water, plus more as needed
For the filling:
- 1/2 pound zucchini (2 medium), cut into 1/2–inch cubes
- 1 cup corn kernels (from 1 medium ear) or 1 cup frozen kernels, thawed
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup canned black or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons diced green chiles
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- Sour cream, for serving, optional
- Salsa, for serving optional
- To make the dough, combine both flours and salt in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut butter into the flour mixture until it’s roughly the size of small peas.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together egg and water. Pour over dry ingredients and mix with a fork until dough begins to come together. If still shaggy, add additional water to help the dough come together, 1 tablespoon at a time. Dump out onto a well-floured surface. Knead dough a few times and carefully gather together into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill for one hour.
- To make the filling, first preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the diced zucchini and corn on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and a few grinds of salt and black pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the zucchini are softened and slightly browned around the edges.
- Transfer to a bowl. Fold in the black beans, cheese, green onions, cilantro, chiles, cumin and chile powder.
- In a small bowl, prepare the egg wash by mixing together the beaten egg and water.
- To assemble the empanadas, divide the dough into 10 equal portions (about 55 grams each). Shape each portion into a ball and roll into a 5- to 6-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick on a cool, lightly-floured surface. Working one at a time, place 1/3 cup filling into the center of the circle. Moisten the edges with the egg wash. Fold one edge over the top of the filling to create a half-moon shape and crimp the edges to seal.
- Place the empanada on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush tops with egg wash, and repeat with remaining dough. Slice a few small slits in the center of each empanada to help release steam while baking.
- Bake at 400°F for 22 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with sour cream and salsa along with a garnish of cilantro, if desired.

