Chef Nelly Mourelle combined her own culinary training making Dominican-style foods with that of her husband’s Argentinean roots to make her own version of the empanada. The result is Nelly’s Artisan Argentinian Empanadas. She is now turning out from a shared commercial space in West Babylon for farmers markets and wholesale shops, as well as those who find her in her kitchen.
There are a number of styles of empanadas that Mourelle creates including the classic beef version but also ham and cheese, spinach and ricotta and barbeque pulled pork.
She says her empanadas are a labor of love that took over two years to perfect the recipe.
According to a write-up in Newsday, Mourelle was a school guidance counselor, who segued a side gig into a new career. She works out of a space at the Winter’s Center For Autism, specifically created to provide vocational training and employment opportunities for people with autism, so she is also combining her previous experience working with developmentally disabled kids and her new workspace.
You can find Nelly’s Artisan Argentinian Empanadas at the Glen Cove farmers market and the Three Village farmers market in Setauket.
Kitchen Location: 92 Mahan Street, West Babylon, (631) 643-2436.
