Healthy Spinach Patties Recipes

SPINACH PATTIES RECIPE

Steps:

• Add 2 inches of water to a pasta pot. Place the deep steamer inside the pot, add the spinach, place on the stovetop and turn the heat to high. Once the water starts to boil, it only takes a few minutes for the spinach to wilt.
• Once the spinach leaves are wilted, lift the steamer and set it at an angle over the pot (suspended. See post for a photo) to allow the water to drain and the spinach to cool.
• After a few minutes, transfer the spinach to a food processor. Pulse the processor a few times until the spinach is processed.
• Add the processed spinach to a mixing bowl and add cheese, eggs, matzo meal, salt and black pepper. Mix all of the ingredients together (if the mixture is too wet, add a little bit more matzo meal).
• Heat about 1/2 inch of canola or vegetable oil to a 12-inch nonstick pan.
• When the oil is hot, lower the heat to medium-high and use your hands or two regular tablespoons to form small patties from the mixture and lower them to the oil.
• Fry the patties for a few minutes on the first side. When you notice that the bottom starts to become golden, flip the patties and fry for a few minutes on the other side.
• Once the patties are ready, remove them from the oil and set on a cooling rack or on a plate lined with a paper towel. You can stop here and just eat them fried in a sandwich, as a meal or an appetizer (try making a garlic dip to go with them), or you can freeze them (see the notes section for more info on freezing). Or you can make the sauce and cook them in the sauce.
• To make the sauce, heat olive oil in a 12-inch nonstick pan. Lower the heat to medium-high, add the minced garlic and fry it for a couple of minutes (to make sure it doesn't burn, stir it constantly).
• Add the chicken stock (or vegetable stock), lemon juice, cilantro, salt and pepper. Stir and cook until the sauce comes to a boil (this should take a couple of minutes).
• Add the patties to the pot (I usually can't fit all of them so I just add as many as I can), cover the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes.
• Turn the heat off and let the patties cool for a few minutes before serving with white or brown rice, bulgur wheat, quinoa, or special bread.

HEALTHY SPINACH PATTIES

Steps:

• Cut the spinach into strips (julienne), and finely mince your garlic if you haven't already.
• Combine all your ingredients except the olive oil in a large mixing bowl.
• Heat about a tbsp of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. You may also use cast iron or stainless, but you'll need a bit more oil to prevent sticking.
• Drop the batter in rounded tablespoons onto your skillet and flatten slightly to form the patty.
• Cook 2 minutes until the first side is golden brown, then carefully flip the patty to cook the other side to golden brown, about another 2 minutes. Continue cooking in batches until you've used all the spinach batter. You may need to add a little more oil if the patties start to stick about halfway through.
• Serve immediately

SEPHARDIC SPINACH PATTIES

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.

SPINACH PATTIES

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.