Empanadas are believed to have originated in the region of Galicia in northwest Spain around the 7th century. The name "empanada" comes from the Spanish verb empanar , meaning "to bread" or "to coat with bread," referring to the dough wrapped around a filling

. Early references to empanadas appear in medieval Spanish texts and cookbooks from the 13th to 16th centuries, including a 1520 Catalan cookbook mentioning empanadas filled with seafood

. The concept of empanadas likely has roots in Middle Eastern meat pies, such as the Arabic sfeeha , introduced to Spain by the Moors during their occupation

. From Spain and Portugal, empanadas were brought to Latin America and the Philippines during colonial times, where they evolved into various regional styles using local ingredients

. Today, empanadas are a staple in many Latin American countries, especially Argentina, where they are widely popular and come with diverse fillings and preparations

. In summary, empanadas originated in Galicia, Spain, with influences from Middle Eastern pastries, and spread globally through Spanish and Portuguese colonization, adapting to local tastes and ingredients along the way.