It was relaxing to eat a pastel, enjoy a fresh squeezed lemonade and walk through the outdoor market.
I was missing pastel after we started physical distancing, so we made some at home. Now I know exactly how pastel is made. We bought the ready-mixed dough. This came in a package divided by plastic sheets of paper. First, we prepared the filling by cooking some ground beef. Next, we shredded some cheese and chopped up some already-sliced turkey. Then, we heated a deep pot full of oil.
To make the pastel, I took one portion of pastry dough, and scooped some of the filling into the middle. Then,I dipped my finger in water and traced the perimeter of the dough. Next, I folded the dough in half and used a fork to squish the edges of the dough together. Finally, we put the pastry in the hot oil to deep fry it. That part took only a few seconds.
It is possible to buy pastel any day of the week, but on Sunday at the market, people buy pastel directly from farmers who come to town to sell their meats, vegetables, cheeses or eggs. The filling of pastel will depend on what kinds of products the farmer has. The most popular fillings are ground beef, mozzarella cheese and heart of palm. Those are all foods that are commonly produced in Brazil, which is why they are all commonly found inside pastel!
