Vegetarian Phyllo Pastry Rolls

Phyllo pastry rolls are a versatile and delightful dish that is also perfectly suited for vegetarian cuisine. Here is a simple and tasty recipe to prepare them.

Ingredients

• 4 sheets of phyllo pastry
• 200 g of fresh spinach
• 150 g of ricotta
• 100 g of crumbled feta
• 1 egg (optionally omitted for a stricter vegetarian variant)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil (or melted butter for brushing)
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
2. In a pan, cook the spinach with a drizzle of oil until it has wilted. Allow to cool.
3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, feta, cooled and squeezed spinach, and the egg. Add salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg. Mix well to get a homogeneous mixture.
4. Lay a sheet of phyllo pastry on a flat surface and lightly brush it with oil or melted butter. If you wish, you can overlap two sheets per roll for a richer texture.
5. Place some of the prepared filling on the edge closest to you. Roll the pastry over itself to wrap the filling, fold the sides inward, and continue rolling until you form a roll.
6. Transfer the roll to the baking tray and brush the surface with more oil or butter. If you like, sprinkle the roll with sesame seeds.
7. Repeat the process with the remaining phyllo sheets until all the filling is used up.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and crispy.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Phyllo pastry rolls can be accompanied by a yogurt sauce or a side of vegetables for a complete meal.

Curiosity

Phyllo pastry, typical of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, is also widely used in Greek cuisine, where “Spanakopita,” a savory pie filled with spinach and feta, is famous. The roll version is easier to serve as finger food and perfectly suits as an appetizer for cocktails or an elegant starter.