Spanakopita

Servings: 12
Ingredients:

1/3 c  Olive oil or butter
1 sm Bunch scallions; chopped
3 lb Spinach; washed and drained
1 sm Bunch parsley; chopped
1 sm Bunch fresh dill; chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 lb Feta cheese, crumbled
4    Eggs; lightly beaten
12    Commercial filo sheets
6 tb Butter; melted
Bread crumbs, if necessary

Heat the 1/3 cup oil in a large pan and saute the scallions until soft.
Meanwhile, pan the spinach (cook it without adding water, then drain it
thoroughly) or salt and rinse it (the latter method is used extensively
in Greece, but it not advisable). Squeeze out excess liquid. Add the
spinach to scallions and stir in the parsley, dill, and a very little salt
and pepper. Cook gently for 10 minutes, then cool. (This much can be
done in advance and stored in the refrigerator). Using a wooden spoon,
stir in the feta and eggs.

Butter a 9 x 12 x 3-inch baking pan and in it spread 6 filo sheets,
brushing each with melted butter. Pour in the spinach filling, then cover
with the remaining filo sheets (buttering each as before). Tuck the top
filo over the bottom and flute the edges. Score the top 3 filo sheets
into square or diamond shapes. Bake in a moderate oven (350 F) for 40
minutes, or until crisp and a golden chestnut color. Remove from oven and
let stand for 15 minutes before cutting. Serve warm.

Note: Some of the favorite variations: Use some nutmeg, or substitute mint
for the dill; use grated cheese instead of feta (be discreet with the salt
if the cheese is salty); add a small handful of raw long-grain white rice
to the filling. You will surely invent your own flavor combinations which
is why spanakopita is so great.

From: ‘The Food of Greece’ by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles. Avenel Books,
New York.

Typed for you by Karen Mintzias

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