In a bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the melted butter or lard, then gradually add the water, kneading until you have a smooth, elastic dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Dice the eggplant, lightly salt, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the eggplant until softened, then add the crushed garlic and black pepper. Cook until the eggplant is tender and lightly caramelized. Let it cool slightly.
Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the slightly cooled eggplant mixture until evenly combined.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 3 mm thickness. Cut out circles of 10–12 cm diameter. Place a tablespoon of the eggplant filling in the center of each circle.
Fold the dough in half to form a semi-circle. Seal the edges with a fork or by twisting the edges by hand. Ensure they are tightly sealed to prevent the filling from leaking out.
Place the filled empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with water or a little olive oil.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown. The filling should be hot and creamy inside.
Let the empanadas cool for 5 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature. They make an excellent vegetarian main course or appetizer.
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