Cretan Spinach Pies: Spinach Filled Kalitsounia
A traditional Greek savory pastry from the island of Crete consisting of a thin pastry filled with a mixture of fresh spinach, herbs, and cheese and fried until golden brown and crispy. They make a perfect vegetarian snack or appetizer, often served with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Category: Mains
Source: www.dimitrasdishes.com
Ingredients
Oil | |
For the dough: | |
---|---|
All-purpose flour | |
Olive oil | |
Water | |
Lemon juice | |
Salt | |
For the filling: | |
Spinach leaves | |
Scallions | |
Olive oil | |
Parsley | |
Dill | |
Mint | |
Salt | |
Optional: | |
Feta |
Instructions
Make the dough:
Combine all of the dough ingredients in the bowl of a table top mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Knead for 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rest at room temperature for an hour.
Make the filling:
Combine the chopped scallions and olive oil in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes until soft. Add the chopped spinach, parsley, dill, and mint. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium high heat until the spinach wilts. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Set aside to cool completely and crumble some feta and mix it in if desired.
Form the pies:
Cut the dough into 8 portions. Roll each portion to 1/8-inch-thick rectangle on a lightly floured surface. This can also be achieved by using a pasta roller attachment. Using a 4- inch round cookie cutter, cut out rounds of dough and set aside. Place a tablespoon of filling onto each round and fold over to seal. Press the edges together with a fork to seal. Place on a baking tray lined with a kitchen towel that has been lightly floured so that the pies don’t stick. Pierce 2-3 holes on the top layer of dough so that steam releases while frying to prevent them from bursting open.
Fry the Kalitsounia 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden. Set on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil. Serve immediately.
Uncooked pies can be stored in the freezer up to a month.
Nutrition
Serving size: | 260.6 |
Energy: | 400.3 |
Ratio: | 1.5 |
Carbohydrate: | 51.7 |
Fat: | 15.7 |
Protein: | 11.7 |
Saturated fat: | 2.2 |
Sodium: | 367.5 |
Sugar: | 2.0 |