Yield: 16 Establishment: Restaurant, Club Operation, Catering Operation   Ethnicity: Spanish   Meal Type: Appetizer   Preparation Method: Saute, Bake   Product Type: Ground Turkey   Dish Type: Empanada

Ingredients

2 Teaspoons vegetable oil

1 Medium onion, finely chopped

8 Ounces GROUND TURKEY

10 Ounces frozen spinach, thawed and well drained

1/2 Teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1/4 Teaspoon ground ginger

2/3 Cup pecan, chopped

1/4 Cup dried currants

1/2 Cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

4 15-Ounce pie crusts

1 Large egg, beaten

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes. Stir in turkey and spinach, mixing well. Stir allspice, salt and ginger into turkey mixture and cook, stirring, until turkey is cooked through—about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add pecans and currants. Set aside to cool slightly. Heat oven to 375°F. Unfold pie crusts and cut in half horizontally and vertically to make 4 quarters. Brush the edges of each quarter lightly with the egg. Spoon ¼ cup of the turkey-pecan mixture in the center of one quarter of pie crust and sprinkle with about 2 teaspoons cheese. Fold one side of the pie crust over to meet the edges of the other side, enclosing the filling completely. Crimp the edges sealed with the tines of a fork. Place empanada on an ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry, filling, cheese and egg to make 15 more empanadas and fill 2 baking sheets. Brush the tops of all empanadas with egg and make a small slit in top crusts with the tip of a knife. Bake empanadas 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving. Serve 2 portions per appetizer.

Recipe Source: Source: Georgia Pecan Commission

Nutrition Facts Calories 570   Calories from Fat 310 % Daily Value* Total Fat 35g 54% Saturated Fat 13g 65% Cholesterol 45mg 15% Sodium 510mg 21% Total Carbohydrate 55g 18% Dietary Fiber 1g 4% Sugars 6g   Protein 9g   Vitamin A 30% Vitamin C 2% Calcium 6% Iron 4% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on you calorie needs:   Calories: 2000 2500 Total Fat Less than 65g 80g Sat Fat Less than 20g 25g Cholesterol Less than 300mg 300mg Sodium Less than 2,400mg 2,400mg Total Carbohydrate   300g 375g Dietary Fiber   25g 30g Calories per gram: Fat 9 Carbohydrate 4 Protein 4