Spinach Flan

Here is the recipe for an Italian-style spinach flan:

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh or frozen spinach
• 3 eggs
• 100 g of grated cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano or pecorino)
• 200 ml of béchamel sauce
• Nutmeg to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter and breadcrumbs for greasing and sprinkling the mold
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. If you’re using fresh spinach, wash it thoroughly and then blanch it in salted water for a few minutes. If you opt for frozen spinach, let them defrost and squeeze them well to remove the excess water.

2. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the spinach, sautéing for a few minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg. Allow to cool.

3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat the eggs and mix with the grated cheese. Then combine this mixture with the now cooled spinach.

4. Prepare the béchamel sauce, if it’s not already ready: melt some butter in a saucepan, add flour and cook for one minute. Then pour in the hot milk and stir until you get a thick sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

5. Add the béchamel to the spinach and mix well.

6. Prepare the mold for the flan by greasing the bottom and sides with butter, then sprinkle it with breadcrumbs. This step helps to prevent the flan from sticking to the mold and facilitates external browning.

7. Pour the spinach mixture into the prepared mold and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes, or until the flan is golden brown and firm to the touch.

8. Once baked, let the flan rest for a few minutes before unmolding, then serve.

Fun Fact

The spinach flan is a versatile dish that can be enriched with other ingredients such as ricotta, diced cooked ham, or other cheeses to taste to give different flavors for various occasions. Moreover, it is also an excellent way to get children to eat vegetables, presented in a more inviting form.