pastechi
{{Short description|Fried food from Dutch Caribbean}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Pastechi
| image = File:Pastechi-5.jpg
| caption = Pastechi
| alternate_name =
| country = Aruba,Bonaire and Curaçao
| region =
| creator =
| course = Breakfast, snack
| type =
| served =
| main_ingredient = dough (flour, salt, sugar, water, butter, egg), filling (meat, fish, vegetables, or cheese) combined with onions, green peppers, celery stalks, raisins, cumin, nutmeg, and/or hot peppers
| variations = numerous
| calories =
| other =
}}
Pastechi is a traditional breakfast or snack from Aruba but is founded throughout the ABC islands that is a crescent-shaped deep-fried dough with a filling.{{cite web |date=2016-11-08 |title=Traditional Savory Pastry From Aruba |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/pastechi |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=TasteAtlas}}{{cite web |last=McArthur |first=Monique |date=2023-08-28 |title=Pastechi |url=https://www.thewickednoodle.com/pastechi-recipe/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=The Wicked Noodle}}{{cite web |date=2018-12-27 |title=Antillean pastechi recipe |url=https://ohmydish.com/recipe/antillean-pastechi |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Ohmydish}}{{cite book |last=Öörni |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GYSZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 |title=Traveler's Paradise - ABC Islands: Travel Guide for ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) |publisher=Juha Öörni |year=2017 |page=22 |language=pt |access-date=2023-10-31}} It is similar to an empanada, although empanadas often have a cornmeal crust whereas pastechis often have a plain pastry shell.{{cite web |last=Mireille |first=Chef |date=2017-03-13 |title=Aruba Style Empanada |url=https://globalkitchentravels.com/pastechi-aruba-style-empanada/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Global Kitchen Travels}} The dough tends to be slightly sweet.{{cite web |date=2020-04-27 |title=How to Cook Authentic Aruban Cuisine |url=https://www.aruba.com/us/blog/how-to-cook-authentic-aruba-food |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Aruba.com}} The fillings can also be quite different. The filling widely varies and can include meat, seafood, vegetables, or cheese. The filling can also be combined with other ingredients such as onions, peppers, celery stalks, raisins, cumin, and nutmeg. Leftover meats, often roast chicken or pork, can be used for the recipe.
The dish is found throughout Aruba, particularly at roadside snack-bars or bakeries.{{cite web |date=2021-01-14 |title=Pastechi: Antillean filled pasties ⋆ RECIPE via SOULFOOD.nl |url=https://soulfood.nl/en/antilliaanse-pastechi-recept/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=SOULFOOD.nl}} However, even some top-rated restaurants on the island serve the dish. It can also be found in Curaçao and Bonaire. The dish is often served at parties as well and tend to be smaller than the ones that are purchased with the party size approximately 10 centimeters in diameter.
The pastechi reflects the diverse ethnic and culinary influences in Aruba, such as from Indonesia and the Netherlands. For instance, the dish can utilize sambal olek or Indonesian chili paste.