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recipe title: |
Pita Of Greens, Herbs + Eggs |
category: |
Vegetarian |
keywords: |
greek, herbs, Vegetarian |
servings: |
12 |
ingredients: |
2 lb Fresh greens *
Salt (see note at end)
1/2 bn Fresh parsley; chopped
1/2 bn Fresh dill; chopped
1 Handful fresh chervil; chop.
1/4 c Butter or margarine
1 bn Scallions; chopped
1/2 ts Ground allspice
1/2 ts Ground cinnamon
1/2 ts Nutmeg
2 ts Granulated sugar
Salt + freshly ground pepper
5 Eggs; lightly beaten
1 c Crumbled feta cheese
1/2 c Milk, or more
1/2 c Butter (optional); melted
12 Commercial filo sheets
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directions: |
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Traditional and individualistic. Village women learn to gather tender,
young greens from their rocky surroundings, which ironically produce the
most beautiful wild flowers and delicious greens. When greens are bought
in the markets, spinach is the most frequently substituted. Cretans
combine dandelions and spinach. This recipe is written as recipes are
spoken in Greece, in the warm first-person plural.
*Note: Suggested greens are: Spinach, dandelions, chicory, endive or any
other fresh greens.
First we wash the spinach, trim coarse ends, drain, chop, sprinkle with
salt, and squeeze until all liquid has been drained. Now we combine the
spinach in a large bowl with the parsley, dill, and chervil and mix
thoroughly. Allowing the greens to stand while heating the 1/4 cup butte
in a large frying pan, we add the scallions to the butter and saute them
until the white parts are translucent. Continuing to cook over medium
heat, we add the greens, the spices, sugar, and enough salt and pepper for
seasoning, careful to allow for additional salt in the feta, which will be
added later. We partially cover the pan and simmer for 20 minutes, or
until all the liquid has been absorbed, then we remove it from the heat
and cool the mixture in a large bowl. Now we add the eggs, feta, and
enough milk to saturate the greens, mix, and assemble the pita as follows:
Butter a 15 x 11 x 2-inch baking pan. Spread 6 filo sheets, brushing each
with melted butter. Pour in the filling, spreading evenly. Cover with
the remaining filo sheets, brushing each with butter. Flute the edges and
brush top with butter. Using a sharp knife, score the top 3 filo sheets
into square or diamond shapes. Bake for 45 minutes in a moderate oven
(350 F) and allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving it warm.
Note: You may eliminate the salting of the spinach by panning it, cooking
over very low heat until the leaves wilt, and then draining it thoroughly.
From: "The Food of Greece" by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles. Avenel Books, New
York.
Typed for you by Karen Mintzias
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