They say that nothing is new. That everything has already been invented. I think this is true  in terms of food. For example, pasties. When I first came to London, I used to hear the words pasty and pastry everywhere. I used to confuse them too. Pastry usually refers to certain baked products made with flour, sugar, milk and others. It also refers to the dough in which some of those products are made. For example, the tasty palmiers are a kind of pastry.

Pasties are more like a final product, a baked pastry with a vegetable and/ or meat filling. It usually refers to Cornish pasties, which is a traditional meal associated with Cornwall and it has a Protected Geographical Indication status in Europe.

Some might think they are not that healthy – silly! I find that as long as you don’t have them at all times, pasties can be so good. People have even favoured chewing gum and ignores pasties. Some others, have praised the humble pasty.

Thing is that you can also find sweet and savoury case filled with meat or other ingredients in other type of meals from other countries. This goes to show that we are not that different as human beings at all. Another common quality is the fact that they all seem to be comfort or winter type of foods. Perfect for this spring, but snowy day in London!

Do you know of any others? Then, share them with us!

Cornish pasty (Great Britain). They are really rich and filling, but quite good.

Empanada gallega (Spain). Fillings vary from tuna to beef and vegetables. It is associated with a specific area in North Western Spain.

Samosa (India). This is usually very spicy.

Dumplings (China). I simply love the boiled variety. The fried one (second picture) is quite good too.

Sausage rolls (Great Britain). You can find them everywhere in UK. Mind you, I find the sausage meat is not the best.

Empanadillas (España). They are usually filled with a mix of tuna, boiled egg and tomato sauce.

Argentinian empanadas (Argentina). The pasty is a bit thicker and less crunchy than the Spanish type.

Jamaican patty (Jamaica). It’s a very spicy filling, usually beef, chicken or lamb, inside a flaky shell. Rather filling and tasty.
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