750 g Fresh spinach; -OR-
500 g -Frozen leaf spinach
1 c Finely chopped spring onions
1/4 c Olive oil
2 c Crumbled feta cheese
1/4 c Finely chopped dill
-OR fennel
2 Eggs; beaten
1/4 ts Ground nutmeg
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
TO FINSH
10 Filo pastry sheets
1/2 c Olive oil
OVEN TEMPERATURE: 190?C (375?F) COOKING TIME: 40 Minutes
Wash spinach well and cut off any coarse stems. Chop coarsely and put into
a large pan. Cover and place over heat for 7-8 minutes shaking pan now and
then or turning spinach with a fork. Heat just long enough to wilt spinach
so that juices can run freely. Drain well in a colander, pressing
occasionally with a spoon. (If using frozen spinach, defrost, drain well
and chop). Place in a mixing bowl.
Heat oil in a frying pan and gently fry spring onion until soft. Add oil
and onion to spinach with cheese, herbs, eggs and nutmeg. Mix well to
combine, then add salt and pepper to taste.
Open out fillo pastry sheets and cut in half, giving pieces approximately
20 x 30 cm (8 x 12 inches) in size. Stack and cover with cloth.
Take a sheet and brush lightly with oil. Fold in half to make a strip
about 10 cm (4 inches) wide. Brush again with oil and spread about 2
tablespoons of filling across one long edge, leaving sides clear of
filling. Fold in sides, then roll up firmly. Bend roll round into a coil
and place in an oiled baking dish. Repeat with remaining ingredients,
placing in one layer in the baking dish.
Brush tops lightly with oil and bake in a moderately hot oven for 25
minutes until golden brown. Serve hot or cold as an appetizer or light
meal. If serving cold, use butter instead of olive oil unless your oil is
of high quality.
Yields
20 Servings