Spinach Fatayer Recipe

Fatayers are middle eastern savory pies. Although they're typically filled with meat, the spinach version is quite common but they can also be found filled with cheese and za'atar. Usually small and triangular in shape, the little pies are perfect finger food or appetizers. They also store well in the refrigerator which makes them easy to make ahead and ideal for packing on a picnic or road trip. Depending on the country or region of the middle east where the fatayers are served, the name might have a variation. Fatayer bil-sabanegh is how lebanese spinach versions are often known and fatayer jebneh is the name given to the cheese versions. Spinach fatayer is somewhat reminiscent of the greek spanakopita but with a few key differences. The greek version includes feta cheese and is usually wrapped in phyllo dough. Those two ingredients are actually common in middle eastern cuisine but the fatayer is most often made with olive oil-based pastry dough. Still, the middle east is famous for lots of regional and family spins on classic recipes. So it's not uncommon to find different vegetables, herbs, and spices used in the filling. Likewise, some people do make them with phyllo or even a yeast dough. However you choose to make them, they're delicious.