Maltese Spinach and Cheese Pastizz

Ingredients

• 2 sheets of puff pastry (400g) 2 sheets of puff pastry (400g)
• 300g fresh spinach, chopped 300g fresh spinach, chopped
• 200g ricotta cheese 200g ricotta cheese
• 100g feta cheese, crumbled 100g feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 16g, 1g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   In a large pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. 4.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, chopped mint, and the cooled spinach mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. 5.
   Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut them into squares or rectangles of your desired size.
6. 6.
   Spoon a generous amount of the spinach and cheese filling onto one half of each pastry square.
7. 7.
   Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling and press the edges together to seal.
8. 8.
   Brush the pastizz with the beaten egg wash.
9. 9.
   Place the pastizz on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Spinach — Make sure to thoroughly wash the spinach leaves before chopping them. Remove any tough stems and discard them.
• Puff pastry — If using frozen puff pastry, make sure to thaw it according to the package instructions before rolling it out.

Tips & Tricks

• For a variation, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or a sprinkle of chili flakes to the spinach and cheese filling for an extra kick of flavor.
• Serve the pastizz warm for the best taste and texture.
• These pastizz can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Maltese Spinach and Cheese Pastizz as an appetizer or snack. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a fresh salad for a light meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the pastizz on a platter, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or mint leaves for an attractive presentation.