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3 MIN READ

Koula’s Greek Matzah Meal Spinach and Dill Pie

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©Jennifer Felicia Abadi:  www.JenniferAbadi.com

Several years ago I was invited down to a Passover demo at Kehila Kedosha Janina, a Romaniote synagogue (built in 1927 by Jews from Janina, Greece) on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. I was warmly greeted by Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos (the synagogue’s museum director) who introduced me to the community. I was touched by how welcoming the members were, and through this event I gathered many contacts (who I later interviewed) for my Passover cookbook research.

Below is a recipe that was demonstrated by Koula, and adapted by me later on. It is not only delicious, but a dish that is great to serve with either a meat or dairy meal because it is parve.

Yield: Serves 6 to 8 / Makes Nine 3-Inch Squares

INGREDIENTS:
For Filling:
1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
1½ cups coarsely chopped yellow onions
Three 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach leaves, defrosted and well drained
½ to ¾ cup finely chopped fresh dill leaves
1 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley leaves
1 to 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons matzah meal

For Dough:
1 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold water
1½ to 2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 cups matzah meal

EQUIPMENT:
Measuring cups and spoons
Large chef’s or chopping knife and cutting board
Large skillet with cover
9-inch square baking pan
Large mixing bowl

PROCEDURE:
Prepare the Filling:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Add the chopped onions and mix well. Cook until soft and transparent, about 10 minutes.

2. Add the defrosted spinach leaves and mix well to coat with the oil and onions. Cover with a lid and cook, over medium heat, until the spinach becomes very soft and the water has cooked off or been absorbed, about 30 minutes.

3. Throw in the chopped dill, parsley, salt, and pepper and mix well, and remove from heat. Pour spinach mixture into a large mixing bowl and cool until slightly warm or to room temperature.

4. Mix in the beaten eggs and matzah meal. Set aside to prepare the dough.

Prepare the Dough:
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.; Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with oil.

6. In separate large mixing bowl, pour in the oil, water, and salt and mix briefly. Slowly pour in the matzah meal and mix until a soft dough is formed. Using your hands, scoop up the dough and pat into a smooth ball. Divide dough into two even balls.

Assemble the Pie:
7. Using your fingers and the palms of your hands, flatten one ball of dough evenly along the bottom f the pan, making sure to reach all of the corners (do not press dough up along the sides).

8. Pour the spinach filling over the bottom layer of dough and spread out evenly with a butter knife or rubber spatula.

9. To cover the filling with the remaining dough, sprinkle the dough evenly over the top like you would a fruit crumble, then dip your palms briefly in cold water and gently press down to make the top more compact.

10. Pierce the surface of the dough 5 or 6 times in several places with a fork or small knife to create air holes. Bake on middle rack for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until golden brown on top and along the sides. Cool to room temperature before cutting into 6 rectangles or 9 squares for serving. (You can also try to flip the pie completely out of the pan by placing a large square platter over the top of the pan and carefully and quickly flipping it over so that the bottom crust becomes the top.)

Tags
Greek Jews
Kehila Kedosha Janina
Lower East Side
parve
Passover
Romaniote
spinach
synagogue
vegan

1 Comment

on Koula’s Greek Matzah Meal Spinach and Dill Pie.
  1. jenniferbeisser192281397
    March 20, 2013 @ 11:33 am
    -

    This dish looks fantastic. I am so enjoying your blog.

jenniferabadi

Something to be thankful for during Thanksgiving w Something to be thankful for during Thanksgiving weekend.

Welcome home. Bring them home. 

#passover #seder #sépharade #nourriturejuive #kascher #moyenorient #méditerranéen #toogoodtopassover #jenniferabadi #afistfuloflentils #toogoodtopassover #kosherfood #jewishfood #sephardicfood #middleeasternfood #arabicfood #conversion #syrianfood #israelifood #israel #standwithisrael #bringthemhome #neveragain #welcomehome
FOOD FIGHT!? The latest anti-Israeli petition dem FOOD FIGHT!?

The latest anti-Israeli petition demands a complete boycott of all Israeli restaurants and food labeled Israeli claiming that it is an appropriation of Palestinian cuisine and an attempt to “erase” Palestinian people. While I understand the desire to raise awareness about the foods of the Palestinian people (or any other community) we have to be careful if the means by which we learn about or appreciate one cultural heritage requires an absolute cancellation of another community in the process. 

Palestinians and Israelis, Jews and Arab Muslims, have more in common with one another genetically and historically than our differences. While cultural variations exist, the overall ingredients and techniques used to create and develop particular recipes are often more reflective of a region than a geographical border.

The biggest issue I have with this petition is not with the Palestinians but with those chefs, restaurant owners, and bakery chains who think that by signing it they are automatically elevated to a higher level of authenticity (perhaps we should start a ratings system for this?). I suggest that they be careful where they put their John Hancock because one day they might find themselves in a position of having to share the results of their 23andMe ancestry to apply for a license to prepare hummus. (And as a Jew with Syrian roots I think that my DNA should give me some right to comment.)

So—to Israeli and Jewish chefs, restaurant owners, bakers, and cooks: hang in there! There was once a time in America when only “Freedom fries” were available, and nowadays you can only find the French kind.

#syrianjewsinamerica #palestinianjews #israel #standwithisrael #kosherfood #jewishfood #jewishpride #mizrahiheritagemonth #mizrahi #toogoodtopassover #fistfuloflentils #sephardiccommunity #culturalheritage #foodheritage #israelifood
When Upper West Siders go to see the balloons. Ha When Upper West Siders go to see the balloons.

Happy Thanksgiving!

#thanksgiving #thanksgivingdayparade #newyorkcity #snoopy #balloons #traditions #americanholiday #turkey #macysparade #thankful
Are you a Mizrahi Jew? Help me to raise awarenes Are you a Mizrahi Jew? 

Help me to raise awareness about “Eastern” Jews by emailing me the following info so that I can share it on Instagram:

—A (relatively clear) photo of you or the person whom you would like me to highlight
—The person’s name
—The country that they came from
—The name of a favorite dish from this country/background (please give me official/traditional name + English translation or description)

You can email me with info and questions: Jennifer@JenniferAbadi.com

Thank you!

#syrianjewsinamerica #palestinianjews #israel #standwithisrael #kosherfood #jewishfood #jewishpride #mizrahiheritagemonth #mizrahi #toogoodtopassover #fistfuloflentils #sephardiccommunity #maghrebijews #middleeasternjews #middleeasternfood #middleeasterncuisine
It’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be 6 wee It’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be 6 weeks since the hostages were taken from Israel. The posters persist to remind us of who is still missing, while pieces of tape and ripped paper remind us of those who prefer that we forget. 

Don’t forget. Bring them home. Shabbat shalom.

“Too Good To Passover” and “A Fistful of Lentils” cookbooks available on Amazon.

#passover #seder #sépharade #nourriturejuive #kascher #moyenorient #méditerranéen #toogoodtopassover #jenniferabadi #afistfuloflentils #toogoodtopassover #kosherfood #jewishfood #sephardicfood #middleeasternfood #arabicfood #conversion #syrianfood #israelifood #israel #standwithisrael #bringthemhome #neveragain
Upper West Side, New York. Bring them home. “T Upper West Side, New York. Bring them home. 

“Too Good To Passover” and “A Fistful of Lentils” cookbooks available on Amazon.

#passover #seder #sépharade #nourriturejuive #kascher #moyenorient #méditerranéen #toogoodtopassover #jenniferabadi #afistfuloflentils #toogoodtopassover #kosherfood #jewishfood #sephardicfood #middleeasternfood #arabicfood #conversion #syrianfood israel #standwithisrael #bringthemhome
My great-grandmother was born in Hebron, Palestine My great-grandmother was born in Hebron, Palestine. She was a Palestinian Jew. A Syrian Jew. An American Jew. An Israeli. And a New Yorker. She spoke Hebrew. Arabic. And English. She was an amazing baker.

My great-grandfather was born in Aleppo, Syria. He was a Syrian Jew. An American Jew. An Israeli. And a New Yorker. He spoke and wrote in Hebrew. Arabic. And English. He was the rabbi of the Syrian-Jewish community in Brooklyn.

Please don’t tell me that as Jews they did not belong in any of these places.

#syrianjewsinamerica #palestinianjews #israel #standwithisrael #kosherfood #jewishfood #jewishpride #mizrahiheritagemonth #mizrahi #toogoodtopassover #fistfuloflentils #sephardiccommunity
Eating kosher gluten-free bagels on Halloween with Eating kosher gluten-free bagels on Halloween with my friend and colleague Joel Haber visiting from Israel.

#cookingclasses #jewishfood #kosherfood #koshercooking #upperwestsidenyc #israel #supportisrael
Smoothie bar at JCC Manhattan Fall Fun Fest social Smoothie bar at JCC Manhattan Fall Fun Fest social for BBYO teens. Sign up for my first Teens-only Cooking Social Series: Easy Fun Fad Foods!

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Looking forward to 5784. Shana tova! #roshhashana Looking forward to 5784. Shana tova!

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Jennifer Abadi | Koula’s Greek Matzah Meal Spinach and Dill Pie