Nettle & Pine Nut Parcels with Whipped Feta
Prep Time40 minutes mins
Cook Time28 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 8 minutes mins
Course: Appetiser
Keyword: foraged,, seasonal,, spring,
Servings: 26 parcels, approx
Whipped Feta
- 100 g feta
- 80 g Greek-style yogurt
- 1 tbls extra virgin olive oil
Nettle Parcels
- 100 g young nettle leaves rinsed
- 1 small onion finely sliced
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- ½ tsp pimenton I like the hot one
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 ½ tbls pine nuts toasted
- 3 soft dates pitted & finely chopped
- 4-5 sheets filo pastry depending on the size
- 25 g butter melted
- 1-2 tbls black sesame seeds
Whipped Feta
In a food processor bowl or blender combine the feta and yogurt, blitz until very smooth, scraping down sides as necessary. Add the olive oil and stir to incorporated. Pour into a bowl and cover until needed.
Nettle Parcels
Remove any stalks from the nettles wearing rubber gloves. Have a saucepan ready with boiling salted water on the hob. Drop the nettles in and boil for 30-60 seconds. Drain and run under cold water. Squeeze out all the excess water. You'll be left with approximately a handful. Place on a wooden board and chop. Set to one side until needed.
Heat a medium saucepan with the olive oil, add the cumin and fry on medium for a minute or two. Add the sliced onion and saute for 5 minutes with the lid partially on until soft and without colour. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes on medium low. Now add the pimenton, chopped dates and nettles, then stir and saute for a few minutes longer. Add a little extra olive oil if the mixture seems dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and add the pine nuts. Cool.
Melt the butter, brush a sheet of filo and cut it lengthways into 3 or 4 strips. Put a teaspoon of the mix at the bottom of each strip and fold each over diagonally to make a triangle, then continue to fold over and up the length of the pastry. Repeat with the remaining filling and pastry. Arrange the parcels on a baking sheet and brush the tops with more butter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
Serve warm with whipped feta.