Prospect Park Asks, Empanadas Anyone?

Prospect Park hasn't offered much in the way of delicious snacks over the years, but that's all changed with the arrival of Empanada Lady.

Empanada Lady, who is known locally only as Valeria, is a woman from Windsor Terrace that has taken it upon herself to change the food culture of Prospect Park - not by choice but by necessity. She had lost her job and with no new prospects on the horizon followed her husband's suggestion of selling her culinary delights in the park.

Studying psychology at Hunter College by day and making eclectic eats by night, Valeria sells her empanadas in the park without a permit. This has been going on since early October.

With or without a permit, the empanadas are truly a treat. Filled with garlic, spinach, and cheddar or caramelized onion, corn, and mozzarella, Valeria's empanadas are little moon-shaped pieces of Heaven.

Hungry park-goers can usually find Valeria on the prowl on Saturdays and some Sundays. If you want to sample her work, get there early - she's usually out by 2:30 PM. And she won't be peddling these Argentinean delights for long; once the weather turns cold, she's back to the warmth of her own kitchen.Source - The Brooklyn Paper, "Hot dog! Empanada lady fills us with delight"