Matzah pies called minas are a classic Sephardic Passover dish, traditionally served for brunch or lunch with slow-cooked, hard-boiled eggs called huevos haminados. The truth is that a mina makes a great side or main dish for any meal, even when it’s not Passover. With a top and bottom “crust” made from sheets of matzah, the filling can be made meat (seasoned lamb, beef or chicken) or vegetables, most commonly spinach and cheese, though sometimes with leeks or mashed potato added. Another option is to shred, salt and squeeze about 2 pounds of zucchini to use in place of the spinach in the recipe below.
The flavors in this vegetarian mina mimic spinach and feta bourekas or spanikopita, but I’ve added a twist. Given the fondness for artichokes in Sephardic food (and for me personally), I’ve added some to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
Matzah Spinach Pie (Mina)
This Sephardic matzah pie is a Passover delight! It can be served as a side or a main dish, and is easily adaptable. This vegetarian mina uses spinach and feta.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8
Ingredients
- 20 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 5–6 sheets plain matzah
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- salt, to taste
- 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and diced
- ½ cup fresh dill with thinner stems, finely chopped
- 1 cup (about 4 oz) crumbled feta
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, divided
- 1 ½ cup milk (can be low-fat)
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 3 large eggs, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Put the spinach into a fine mesh strainer and set in the sink or over a bowl to drain.
- Fill a large baking pan with tepid water. Break two matzah sheets in half as equally as possible. Add the matzah to the pan of water for 2 minutes, making sure they are submerged. (You can gently lay a couple heavy pieces of silverware across the top of the matzah to hold down.) The matzah should be pliable, but still hold its shape. Take each sheet out by lifting it holding onto two corners. Let some of the water drip off for a moment, then lay the softened matzah in a single layer on a thick dish towel or two. You can do the matzah in batches depending on the size of your pan with water.
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a couple pinches of salt, stir and sauté about 5 minutes until the onion starts to soften. Mix in the chopped artichoke and cook another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, as the artichokes and onions begin to take on a little color.
- As the mixture cooks, use a large spoon or your hands to squeeze the as much liquid as possible out of the spinach. Set the squeezed spinach into a large mixing bowl, breaking up the clumps. When the onion and artichokes are ready, add to the bowl with the spinach and stir to blend the vegetables. Add the dill, feta, ⅓ cup grated cheese, milk, pepper and nutmeg, if using. Mix until well blended, then taste for saltiness. Depending on the saltiness of the feta, add salt as needed. Beat two eggs and stir into the mixture until well blended.
- Put 1 Tbsp olive oil in an 8×11.5-inch (2 quart) glass baking dish. Swirl the oil to cover the bottom and a bit of the sides, then put the dish in the preheated oven for 4-5 minutes. Heating the baking dish will help create a good bottom crust and keep it from sticking. As soon as the dish comes out hot, cover the bottom completely with about 1½ sheets of matzah, slightly overlapping. The matzah should sizzle as it hits the oil. Spoon half the spinach mixture onto the matzah and gently spread evenly. Cover with another layer of 1½ sheets of matzah, then the remaining spinach mixture making sure it’s even. Add the top layer of matzah, covering the filling edge to edge. Use the extra half piece of wet matzah to fill in any of the layers as needed.
- Beat the remaining egg and tablespoon of oil together. Pour the mixture all over the top of the matzah. Some will drip down the sides and that’s fine. Use a pastry brush to spread any pools of egg so the coating on the matzah is even. Bake for 40 minutes, then sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup grated cheese evenly over the top. Continue baking another 10-12 minutes until the top is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Quick
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Sephardi
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Always fun to see other mena recipes. This looks great, but of course am partial to my family’s recipe which is then “frosted” with mashed potatoes, a raw egg & grated cheese mixed in, and a drizzle of olive oil, on top of the uppermost matzo layer, before baking. (Also, only soak the matzo for about 30 seconds or it will fall apart) Serve with drizzles of honey, of course!!
Anyway you make it though, it’s going to be…yum!
Could I use egg substitute?
How? Thanks
Looks and sounds delicious but instead of frozen spinach could you use spinach that’s whole and not frozen?
Sure! But you’d need to increase the volume of dry spinach, as frozen is more compact.
I made thisw for a community seder and it was gobbled up, thank you.
Question — do the first 1.5 sheets of wet matzah go on the bottom?
Hi Rich, yes they do.