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Your Family's Version of Spanakopita?

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knicks_fan87

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I’ve noticed that everyone seems to make spanakopita a little differently, especially when it comes to family recipes passed down through generations. I’d love to hear how your family makes it!

Feta seems to be the one cheese that is always included, but do you add any other cheeses to the filling? I’ve seen recipes that use ricotta or other soft cheeses alongside the feta.

What about herbs? Do you use dill, parsley, mint, or a combination? And while spinach is obviously the main green, does your family add anything else, such as leeks, scallions, chard, or other greens?

I’m always interested in how much traditional Greek recipes vary from one family or region to another. There never seems to be just one way to make a dish! What goes into your family’s spanakopita filling, and what makes your version special?
 
I love how much spanakopita can vary from one family to another. In my family, we keep the filling fairly simple, but there are definitely a few additions beyond spinach and feta. Scallions are a must because they add a little sweetness and freshness without overpowering the spinach. I also like plenty of dill and a bit of parsley.

For cheese, feta is definitely the star. I prefer not to add ricotta because I like the filling to have that sharper, saltier flavor, although I know plenty of Greek families who use a softer cheese along with the feta. Sometimes a little grated hard cheese can be nice too.

I also think leeks are wonderful in spanakopita, especially when they’re cooked down first. That’s one of the things I love about Greek cooking: the basic idea stays the same, but every household seems to have its own little touches.
 
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