SEPHARDIC
SPINACH PATTIES (KEFTES DE ESPINACA) Pareve
or Dairy
Olive Trees and Honey by
Gil Marks
 According
to Marks, these simple but delicious
spinach patties are irresistible, even to
spinach-haters. He recommends a splash of
fresh lemon juice, which makes a major
difference in taste. Onions add a sweet
flavor and textural complexity. He writes,
"These patties are traditional on Passover
and Rosh Hashanah, corresponding to the
emergence of the early and late spinach
crops. For Rosh Hashanah, you could
substitute fine dried bread crumbs for the
matzo meal." Enjoy… |
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp.
olive or vegetable oil
- 1 large
onion, chopped
- 2 to 4
cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 2 pounds
fresh spinach, stemmed, cooked, chopped,
and squeezed dry (or 20 ounces thawed
frozen chopped spinach, squeezed dry)
- About 1
cup matza meal
- About
3/4 teaspoon table salt (or 1 1/2
teaspoons kosher salt)
- Ground
black pepper to taste
- 1/2
teaspoon grated nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon
cayenne (optional)
- 3 large
eggs, lightly beaten
-
Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon
wedges for serving
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1. In a large
skillet, heat the olive oil over medium
heat. Add the onion and, if using, the
garlic and sauté until soft and translucent,
about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and
add the spinach, matza meal, salt, pepper,
and, if using, the nutmeg or cayenne. Stir
in the eggs. If the mixture is too loose,
add a little more matza meal. The mixture
can be stored in the refrigerator for a day.
2. Shape the spinach mixture into patties 3
inches long and 1½ inches wide, with tapered
ends. In a large skillet, heat a thin layer
of oil over medium heat. In batches, fry the
patties, turning, until golden brown, about
3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Serve warm, accompanied with lemon wedges.
Makes about 16 patties.
SEPHARDIC SPINACH PATTIES WITH CHEESE (Keftes
de Espinaca con Queso): Add 1 cup (4 ounces)
shredded Muenster, Swiss, Gouda, or Cheddar
cheese, or ¼ cup grated kefalotyri or
Parmesan cheese.
SEPHARDIC SPINACH PATTIES WITH WALNUTS (Keftes
de Espinaca con Muez): Substitute 1/2 to 1
cup finely chopped walnuts for the matza
meal.
ITALIAN SPINACH PATTIES (Polpettine di
Spinaci): Add 3/4 cup raisins soaked in
white wine for 30 minutes, then drained, and
3/4 cup toasted pine nuts. |
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Olive Trees and Honey --
Spinach |
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Cooking Tips:
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