Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #36 titled Empanada. Enjoy!

Empanada

I love that fried, tasty orange-colored empanada
Filled with what tastes
Like a scrumptious chalakiles* dish.
I’m talking about that snack that’s shaped like a turnover
Which is actually made of dough
And also toasted ground rice.
But why is it colored orange, some may ask –
That’s simply because
The ingredients are colored with achoti seeds*
So the next time you go to a fiesta
Or even a mom-and-pop store
Look for that delicious orange-colored empanada
And savor its delicious taste!
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*chalakiles: rice porridge; orange-colored stew-like dish made with toasted ground rice
*achoti seeds: seeds used for coloring rice and other foods

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao