How To Make Spanakopita
Today we are feasting with… Saint Christopher.
Spanakopita is made of delicate phyllo pastry, filled with spinach, feta, and herbs, then baked until golden brown. A flaky, savory, Greek dish to serve in honor of this feast day.
Saint Christopher
According to the legendary account of his life, Christopher was a seven and a half foot tall Canaanite, who lived in the third century. While serving the king of Canaan, he took it into his head to go and serve “the greatest king there was”. He went to the king who was reputed to be the greatest, but one day he saw the king cross himself at the mention of the devil. Upon learning that the king feared the devil, he departed to look for the devil. He came across a band of thieves, one of whom declared himself to be the devil, so Christopher decided to serve him. But when he saw his new master avoid a wayside cross and found out that the devil feared Christ, he left him and enquired from people where to find Christ.
His travels led him to a hermit who instructed him in the Christian faith. Christopher asked him how he could serve Christ. When the hermit suggested fasting and prayer, Christopher replied that he was unable to perform that service. The hermit then suggested that because of his size and strength Christopher could serve Christ by assisting people to cross a dangerous river, where they were perishing in the attempt. The hermit promised that this service would be pleasing to Christ.
The “Christ Bearer”
After Christopher had performed this service for some time, a little child asked him to take him across the river. During the crossing, the river became swollen and the child seemed as heavy as lead, so much that Christopher could scarcely carry him and found himself in great difficulty. When he finally reached the other side, he said to the child: “You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were.” The child replied: “You had on your shoulders not only the whole world, but Him who made it. I am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work.” The child then vanished.
Christopher later visited Lycia, where he comforted the Christians who were being martyred. Brought before the local king, he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. The king tried to win him by riches and by sending two beautiful women to tempt him. Christopher converted the women to Christianity, just as he had already converted thousands in the city. The king ordered him to be killed. Various attempts failed, but finally Christopher was beheaded
Saint Christopher is the patron of travelers.
Saint Christopher, pray for us.
Download Spanakopita Recipe
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Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, divided
- 1 (32 ounce) package Fresh Spinach
- 1/2 cup Onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon minced Garlic
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Dill, finely chopped
- 8 ounces Feta Cheese, crumbled
- 1 Egg, lightly beaten
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 package frozen Phyllo Dough Sheets, thawed
- 3/4 cup Butter, melted
Preparation Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add half the spinach to the pan and cook until wilted. Add the remaining spinach to the pan.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until all of the spinach is wilted.
- Remove the spinach from the pan and let it cool. Wring out excess water. Coarsely chop the spinach.
- Wipe out the pan with a paper towel. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened.
- Stir in the green onions, garlic, parsley and dill and cook 30 seconds.
- Transfer the onion mixture to a bowl along with the chopped spinach, feta cheese, and egg.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Take the phyllo dough out of the package and unroll it onto a flat surface. Keep the phyllo covered with a damp towel when not working with it.
- Lay out one sheet of dough with the long end facing you. Brush the melted butter over the dough.
- Add a second layer of dough on top of the first, then brush the second layer with butter.
- Cut the dough vertically into 3 inch wide strips.
- Place 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling on one end of the dough strip. Fold one corner of the dough over the filling to make a triangle shape.
- Fold the strip of dough over itself the same way you’d fold a flag– until you reach the end. Brush a little melted butter over the top and place the triangle on the prepared sheet pan.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
- Arrange the triangles 1 1/2 inches apart on the sheet pans.
- Bake approximately 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.