Sephardic Spinach Patties Recipes

Steps:

• PREPARATION:.
• 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.
• 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.
• Shape the spinach mixture into patties 3 inches long and 1 1/2 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 toweling.
• Serve warm, accompanied with lemon wedges.
• VARIATIONS.
• Sephardic Spinach Patties with Cheese (Keftes de Espinaca con Queso):
• Add 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Muenster, Swiss, Gouda, or Cheddar cheese; or 1/4 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.
• *To reheat the spinach patties, place in a large skillet, add 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock, and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.

Steps:

• 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. 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 1 1/2 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.
• Sephardic Spinach Patties with Cheese (Keftes de Espinaca con Queso):
• Add 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Muenster, Swiss, Gouda, or Cheddar cheese; or 1/4 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.

Steps:

• 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, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and, if using, the nutmeg. Stir in the eggs. If the mixture is too loose, add a little more bread crumbs. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for a day.
• Shape the spinach mixture into patties. 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.