Spinach Croquettes Recipes

Steps:

• Set a large pot of water to boil and salt it.
• When it boils, add the spinach and onion and cook for just about a minute, until the spinach wilts.
• Drain thoroughly and cool a bit.
• Squeeze dry. Chop spinach and onion and place in large bowl, along with the eggs, cheese and breadcrumbs.
• Mix well, then add salt and pepper.
• Form the spinach mixture into small croquettes, about 1/4 each for a total of 16. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before frying. Let come to room temperature before cooking.
• Place oil and butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat in batches (so they won't touch each other when they cook), add croquettes to the skillet.
• Adjust heat so they brown without burning, about 3 - 4 minutes; turn and brown other side, about 3-4 minutes.
• Continue until all the croquettes are cooked. Serve hot or at room temperature.
• They can be cooked ahead, cooked and refrigerated and then reheated in a 250F oven until just warmed.

Steps:

• 1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and, if using, the garlic and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the spinach, matza meal, salt, pepper, and, if using, the nutmeg. Stir in the eggs. If the mixture is too loose, add a little more matza meal. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for a day.
• 2. Shape the spinach mixture into patties 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide, with tapered ends. In a large skillet, heat a thin layer of oil over medium heat. In batches, fry the patties, turning, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm, accompanied with lemon wedges.
• Sephardic Spinach Patties with Cheese (Keftes de Espinaca con Queso):
• Add 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Muenster, Swiss, Gouda, or Cheddar cheese; or 1/4 cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese.
• Sephardic Spinach Patties with Walnuts (Keftes de Espinaca con Muez):
• Substitute 1/2 to 1 cup finely chopped walnuts for the matza meal.
• Italian Spinach Patties (Polpettine di Spinaci):
• Add 3/4 cup raisins soaked in white wine for 30 minutes, then drained, and 3/4 cup toasted pine nuts.

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a saucepan and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until tender enough to easily pierce with a fork. Drain and toss gently over low heat for a minute to completley dry out. Press them through a sieve or just mash with a potato masher until smooth. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix in the butter and egg yolk, then spread out on a tray to cool.
• Preheat the oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). The oil is the proper temperature when a cube of bread browns in about 15 seconds.
• In a large bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese and spinach. Blend in the mashed potatoes. On a floured surface, using floured hands, roll small handfuls of the mixture into cylinders about 3/4 inch thick and 2 1/2 inches long. Tap the ends to flatten.
• Season 1/2 cup of flour with salt and pepper and place on a tray. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and peanut oil. Place the bread crumbs into a separate shallow bowl. Roll the croquettes in seasoned flour, then dip into the egg and then coat with bread crumbs.
• Fry the croquettes a few at a time, so they have some room in between, until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Carefully remove from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain on crumpled paper towels.