Spiral Bourekas Pie

by Zehorit Heilicher, Tastemaker in Residence   

Image by Zehorit Heilicher

Serves 10 - Yield: 1 pie

Ingredients

For Butternut Squash

3 cups peeled & cubed butternut squash, (about 1#, cut 1/2" size)

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp fresh minced sage

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

For Filling

3 cups Cooked & cooled butternut squash

2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

16 oz whole milk ricotta

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 cup grated kashkaval cheese, (or Parmesan)

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 large egg

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Assembly

1 package puff pastry, thawed in the fridge

1 large egg

1-2 Tbsp milk

1-2 Tbsp Everything seasoning

Instructions

1. Roast the squash: Heat oven to 400F.

Place cut squash, sage, olive oil & salt and pepper in a medium bowl and toss gently to combine well and to coat all squash pieces with oil.

Spread seasoned squash on a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven. Roast for about 30 minutes, rotating half-way to ensure even cooking. Squash pieces should be golden and lightly caramelized. Cool completely.

2. Make filling: While squash is cooling, combine all filling ingredients, mixing well, to create a thick uniform mixture. When squash has cooled, gently fold the squash into the mixture. Set aside while you prepare the dough.

3. Assembly: First prepare your pan and heat your oven: Butter a 9” springform pan and place a greased circle of parchment paper on the bottom. Set aside. Set oven to 375F. Whisk together the egg and the milk in a small bowl for the egg wash.

Unfold the dough and divide into 2 even long strips. (if needed, use a rolling pin to even the pastry out). Place one strip of dough in front of you, the longer edge facing you. Shape about 1/4 of cheese mixture into a 1.5” log in the middle of the dough strip. Brush one side of the dough, the long way, with the egg wash. Close the dough over the filling, rolling to seal the dough gently and even out the seal.

Coil the filled dough log into a snail shape, starting in the center of the pan and working outward. Repeat with the rest of the dough until you pan is full and the spiral hugs its rim.

Brush the egg wash evenly over the top of the pie. Sprinkle generously with Everything Spice and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in preheated oven and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, until deeply golden brown and puffy.

4. Serve: Let pie cool in pan for 5-10 minutes and then gently un-mold. Slide pie onto a serving plate and serve hot. Slice into triangles and serve with a green salad for a great brunch or vegetarian dinner.