Passover ended months ago, but I realized I forgot to post this Passover side dish so here we are. I typically avoid matzah for the eight days of Passover because why would I willingly eat cardboard? I find there are enough fresh veggies that I can usually eat around the flavorless cracker. But sometimes it’s nice to include a little matzah into the menu simply to remind yourself that you are, in fact, observing the holiday. Also, sometimes you’re craving something starchy and this matzah pie, which is almost like a Jewish spanikopita, satisfies that craving.
I cut this recipe pretty much in half, but to do so I took the matzah down more than the filling because I like it overstuffed and wanted to ensure it wouldn’t be dry. Start by draining a bag of frozen chopped spinach through a mesh strainer (I think my bag was 14 or 16 oz). While the spinach drains over the sink, prep the matzah. You’ll need about 5 full pieces of matzah, broken to fit into your pan. Submerge the matzah in a baking dish of room temp water for about two minutes (will have to do in batches) until it’s pliable but not falling apart. Dry on a dish towel. Sauté 1 small onion (or half a medium one) with salt until soft. Add in half to 3/4 can artichokes (diced) and cook for about 10 min. While the artichoke and onion cooks, squeeze the water out of the spinage and put it into a mixing bowl. Add the artichoke mixture to the spinach along with a bunch of fresh dill, 2-3 oz crumbled feta, 1/4 c. grated parm, 3/4 c. milk, pepper and a dash of nutmeg. Mix and add in 2 beaten eggs. Grease a baking dish (I didn’t follow the recipe’s oil/heating instructions) and start layering your pie. Matzah – spinach artichoke mix – matzah – spinach artichoke mix – top layer of matzah. Top with egg wash and some more parm and bake at 350 for 45 minutes (may need to cover for majority of cooking so parm doesn’t burn).
I did not hate this! I do think it’s nice to incorporate a bit of matzah into the diet (outside the seder) and this is a way to do it that doesn’t feel like you’re forcing it down. Also, it’s all the great flavor of spinach and artichoke dip but without tons of cream and cheese. If you’re Sephardic, this handles the bureka dreams you’ll inevitably have during Passover and if you’re not Sephardic, this will remind you why you wish you were.
Peaches to Apples 