I developed this recipe while working as the lead chef at a beachside cafe in Puerto Rico, where I crafted daily specials based on the freshest ingredients available. One day, I found myself with an abundance of unripe (green) papayas and decided to transform them into a comforting vegetarian curry. The dish quickly gained popularity amongst the regulars at the cafe, who often asked for the recipe to try at home.

During my time living and working in Rincon, Puerto Rico, I enjoyed sampling the local pinchos along the beach, which inspired me to create these tasty empanadillas.