Zeljanica 🥬 Bosnian Phyllo Pie 🇧🇦 (Spinach & Cheese Pita)

Description

Flaky phyllo wrapped around a lush spinach-and-cheese filling—crisp edges, tender center, pure Balkan bakery vibes. 🥧🌿

Hook: One pan, golden top, and a soft, custardy middle—restaurant quality at home. ⚡

Ingredients

• Filling
• 🥬 Spinach, chopped & well-squeezed: 600 g (6 packed cups / 21 oz)
• 🧀 White brined cheese (feta/sirene), crumbled: 250 g (2 cups / 8.8 oz)
• 🍶 Thick yogurt or kefir: 240 g (1 cup / 8.5 oz)
• 🥚 Eggs: 3 large (≈150 g / 5.3 oz)
• 🧈 Melted butter (or sunflower oil): 60 g (¼ cup / 2.1 oz)
• 🌿 Fresh dill or parsley, chopped: 2 tbsp (8 g / 0.28 oz)
• 🧂 Salt: to taste (≈3 g / ½ tsp)
• ⚫ Black pepper: ½ tsp (1 g / 0.04 oz)
• Layers & bake
• 📜 Phyllo sheets (thawed), 30×20 cm pan: 10–12 sheets (≈350 g / 12 oz)
• 🫗 Neutral oil or melted butter for brushing: 80 ml (⅓ cup / 2.7 fl oz)
• 💧 Sparkling water (for steam/lift): 60 ml (¼ cup / 2 fl oz)
• 🌰 Sesame seeds (optional): 1 tbsp (9 g / 0.32 oz)

Preparation

1. 1️⃣ Make filling: Whisk eggs with yogurt/kefir. Stir in spinach, crumbled cheese, melted butter, herbs, pepper, and salt (lightly—cheese is salty).
2. 2️⃣ Prep pan: Brush a 30×20 cm (9×13 in) pan with butter/oil. Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
3. 3️⃣ Layer: Lay 2 phyllo sheets, brushing each lightly. Spread ⅓ of filling. Repeat (2 sheets + brush + filling) twice. Top with remaining 4–6 sheets, brushing each; tuck edges.
4. 4️⃣ Finish: Score the top into squares/diamonds. Drizzle sparkling water evenly; sprinkle sesame if using.
5. 5️⃣ Bake: Bake 35–45 min until deep golden and crisp. Rest 10 min before slicing.

Total Time

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 40 min
⏳ Total: 1 h

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