Hispanic inventor puts a new ‘edge’ to the traditional favorite empanada

And I am not talking about changing the frying or baking of this popular street food or modifying its typical half moon-shape, but rather resolving the bothersome edge-pinching, needed after folding over and forming a semicircle, so our tasty Hlling cannot escape from the stuffed corner of the dough.

This very last part has found a permanent Hx with a new invention called the Empanada Fork, a pastry press with a Hispanic twist invented by Hipatia López, the proud daughter of Ecuadorian parents, who was born and raised in New Jersey.

López proudly traces the roots of her career as an inventor to a simple beginning – her family cocina. She’s fueled by simplifying one of the most traditional recipes with a single tool. At the end of the day, she is building a smarter kitchen.

We talked to López about her invention – a challenge, but also an extraordinary opportunity.

How did you come up with the idea of the empanada fork? It occurred to me one day during the holiday season when in my household we were preparing the menu. We made 100 empanadas and my husband is the cook in our family, so he prepared the Hllings. I had to close them and even got my kids to help me.this last step took so long and my thumb started to hurt, a bit frustrating. I just blurted it out loud: “Someone needs to invent a utensil so this can go faster.” I just kept thinking of it over and over in my head – I should do it!keeping it a secret from family and friends was very hard but I did it. I really thought it had to exist somewhere so this is why I held on to the idea for a year until I decided to go through with it and contact a lawyer about the patent process.

How was the patent process? Honestly, in the beginning I called any lawyer not realizing they specialize in just that and are called patent attorneys. I eventually started to research some in my local area and called three. I always go with my gut instinct when choosing who is least expensive, etc.it took one year to patent. I actually now have two patents on my utensil, both designed a little differently because I just wanted to cover myself.

What about those people that said no to your idea? I got many no’s and got hung up on once. At Hrst, it hurt a bit but when it happened more often, it did not even phase me. I realized after the Hrst rejection, I was okay. Since I did think of the “idea” a whole year before I did anything about it, I started to research online just looking for the item everywhere. I went to stores, bodegas, etc and could not Hnd it. That is when I just convinced myself that I CAN do this.

What is your motto? Live life to the fullest and appreciate the things you have and not what you don’t have.

And of course, what is your favorite empanada Hlling? I love most of them but chicken is my favorite!