Argentinian empanadas to nosh on in San Francisco

If you've yet to experience the buttery goodness of Argentian empanadas, you're in luck.

El Porteno is selling these delightful little hand-pies, which make a great snack or light lunch, at farmers markets in San Mateo, Oakland, Marin County, and San Francisco. You can pick them up at San Francisco's year-round Inner Sunset market (only a short drive from the Laurel Inn) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.

Owner Joey Ahearne's six types of savory empanadas are based on his mother's recipes and sell for $3.50 each. They're all about the size of your palm and have flaky, buttery crusts.

I tried two: the "jamon y queso,'' a nice mix of prosciutto and fontina (though I would have liked a little more prosciutto); and the "pollo,'' generously filled with a blend of tender Fulton Valley chicken, chorizo, raisins and olives.

El Porteno also makes a dessert empanadita filled with bananas and homemade dulce de leche ($1.75), as well as alfajores, lovely cookie sandwiches filled with dulce de leche or quince paste ($1.50 each).

-- Carolyn Jung of FoodGal