Pastelitos are a typical Dominican appetizer, similar to the typical Spanish empanadas. They are small bundles of puff pastry, filled with meat, cheese, vegetables or other ingredients, and then fried in hot oil until crisp and golden.Pastelitos are very popular throughout the Dominican Republic, and are often served as an appetizer or mid-morning or afternoon snack. They are highly valued for their simplicity and convenience, and for the fact that they can be filled with a wide variety of ingredients, depending on personal taste.The filling of Pastelitos can be pork, chicken, beef, cheese, potatoes, onions, olives, or other ingredients, depending on the region and local culinary tradition. Pastelitos are often accompanied by a spicy sauce, called "mojo," which gives them an even more intense and tasty flavor.A little-known fact about Pastelitos is that, in some regions of the Dominican Republic, they are made with a homemade puff pastry made from wheat flour and lard, which gives them an even more authentic and traditional flavor. In addition, Pastelitos are a very inexpensive and easy dish to prepare, requiring few ingredients and few culinary skills, and are one of the most popular specialties of Dominican cuisine.
