Sitto’s Spanakopita Recipe
Nov 21, 2014, Updated May 07, 2023
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Maybe it’s the cold weather hitting that makes me think even more about my Sitto, who grew up on a rugged farm in Nebraska a century ago.
This was serious pioneer life, a life she described to us often in captivating stories. She told us how they’d harvest every fall, and how exciting it was to make ice cream once a year for the harvest feast. She rode horse and buggy to town with her father now and then, and came home with penny candy. At night in winter, they kept a pail (which always froze) in the bedroom because there was no way to get to the outhouse. I realize now that my passion for all things Little House on the Prairie as a girl must have been directly related to Sitto’s stories.
She was just a teen when her parents, who were birthing a child every year or so, sent her to live with relatives in Indiana. They couldn’t afford to keep her, and she was old enough to work as a secretary in an office. Probably was much better for her, I’ve heard some say.
By the time she made it to Lansing, she was older, a widow now who hadn’t had any children, losses she accepted with grace. She spoke of her first husband fondly: “he taught me how to laugh!” she said merrily. It makes me sad to think she didn’t know how to laugh until he came along, and it also surprises me because her sense of humor was her trademark.
Sitto Sarah married my Jiddo, a widower himself but with six grown children, some of them married too. From these stepchildren, Sitto gained bragging rights to upwards of 60 grand- and great-grandchildren. She once won a contest on a cruise, for having had the most grandchildren of all.
She gifted that big, wide world of Abood family with a Sitto-love we would not have otherwise known, since our blood Sitto, Nabeha, died way too young at forty-nine.
I’m struck these days by our similarities, Sitto and me, and was especially so when I was out recently and ran into one of the good old neighbors from Wagon Wheel Lane. This was the first time I found myself in the beautiful position to say to someone: meet my stepson, Steven. I got all choked up with joy deep in my being when the words came out introducing him. Then the old friend, he jostled Steven on the arm and said: “you take good care of your ma.” We walked away, and my (can I say that?) towering, handsome young man squeezed his arm round me, tight.
Steven asked me not long ago, have you shared your Sitto’s spinach pie recipe on your blog yet? Why no, I haven’t. I think they’d love it, he said. And he would know. This pie is Steven’s specialty, and he works directly from a recipe written by my Sitto in a worn, beloved Greek cookbook off of his own Sitee’s shelf (that’s my mother-in-law, Dan’s mom, the one I’ve always called “Aunt Louise” for the longstanding affection between our families).
So I present: Sitto’s Spanakopita, which she would gladly allow us to call “Steven’s Spanakopita,” her way of putting her arms around us tight, a squeeze of one-big-family love.
Sitto’s Spanakopita
Your holiday brunch dish for a big gathering of family is here. Sitto’s recipe is ginormous, so I’ve cut it down a good bit and changed up her ratios some (a little more cheese plus cream cheese, a less spinach). You can double this recipe and use a sheet pan with the large-size phyllo dough (about 14”x18”) if you like. Make the spanakopita ahead and fully bake it, or leave it unbaked in the refrigerator for a day, and bake it when you’re ready. If you do bake it ahead, reheat it in the oven at 350°F. Sitto makes it clear with red ink: bake the pie before cutting it into squares! Makes 12 servings.
1 8 oz. box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1/3 pound feta cheese, crumbled (buy a block and crumble it yourself)
1/2 pound small-curd cottage cheese
3 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
2 eggs, lightly whisked
4 scallions, finely chopped
1 teaspoons kosher salt
few grinds black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 cup clarified butter, melted
1 pound package frozen phyllo dough, 9”x14”, thawed to room temperature, unopened until just before using
Heat the oven to 350°F. Squeeze the spinach in the sink to remove as much liquid as possible.
In a large bowl, stir the feta cheese, cottage cheese, and cream cheese until well incorporated (it helps to stir the room-temp cream cheese in a small bowl first to loosen it and smooth it out).
Add the eggs and stir to combine. Stir in the scallions, spinach, salt, pepper, and dill.
Remove the phyllo from its wrapping and gently unfold it. Trim the long side by an inch so it will fit into a 13” x 9” x 2”-inch glass or metal (not dark) pan. Cover the phyllo stack with a damp kitchen towel to keep it from drying out.
Brush the bottom of the pan with a bit of the clarified butter. Lay one sheet of phyllo in the bottom of the pan and dab it with the butter. Lay another sheet over this one and butter it, repeating this with 8 more sheets (or half of the phyllo stack).
Spread the filling over the phyllo, and layer the remaining phyllo sheets on top, brushing butter over each layer, including the top layer.
Bake the pie for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Cool for about 10 minutes.Use a sharp knife to cut the pie into squares, and serve warm.
Yum! Made three pans of this with a friend. Froze two and baked one. Rave reviews from all the family and friends who sampled it. So we’re going to have a Spanakopita making party in May when the kids are home from college. Everyone is going to prep a part of the recipe and then we’ll will come together and visit while assembling our 9 x 13 pans. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and the detailed instructions. Looking forward to serving our frozen Spanakopita on Easter with the added ease of simply pulling it out of the oven!
That sounds so great Karen! I love the group cooking!
What wonderful memories you have, rich with tradition and a loving family. The love for delicious recipes, handed down generation to generation, it is honestly a special treat to witness. It is truly lovely to see, that you have such a love and sweet talent to bring these recipes to fruition. You are definitely loved and I dare say, that you will never know the depth to which you are loved by those you surround yourself with. You are a beautiful soul and the wonderful dishes you bring to the table, are just a small morsels of the bountiful talent, that you possess.
Jennifer, you warm my heart with your words. Thank you so very much!
This looks like i could manage making it! i love this but only have it once a year at our local Greek-fest. I enjoyed your site, seems i am always looking at, cooking, or eating food of some sort! I just love food and cooking, i collect old cook books. Mostly southern, i own https://howtocooksouthern.com/ I try to focus on Southern Cooking, food history and Etc…. Wes :)>
I made this for hors d’oeuvre on Christmas and it was gone within minutes. Family and guests raved that it was the best spanakopita they’ve ever had. My daughter-in-law is not much of a veggie eater (especially if it’s green), but this recipe won her over. It’s on my brunch menu for New Year’s Day…a double batch this time. I have to add that this recipe is ridiculous easy to make, and the wonderful flavors all married together make it seem like one worked hours preparing. Bon Appetite!
I’m so thrilled! Thank you Penelope!
Great story and a great recipe!
What a lovely story about your Sitto. Reminds me of my own grandmother (also named Nabiha) who inspires me to cook every day.
Makes my heart so happy to read of the long-standing great love and affection among the Aboods and Shaheens–your column feels like a giant hug to all of us-thank you!
I love these recipes they are all the lost recipes my sitto made so many years ago,sitto’s recipes were always in her head,you had to watch her to learn from her.Please if you have a kaick recipe wouldlove to have one from you Maureen.There are many on line and in old books but would like one you may have.
God Bless and Happy cooking Pamela
Hi Pamela–thank you!–find ka’ik here!
I love to read your stories and savor your recipes. The connection between Sitto and you and Steven is firm – you can certainly lay claim to “inheriting” her and that “towering, handsome young man”! Having lived in Greece 50 years ago, I, too make spanakopita similar to Sitto’s recipe – and I feasted on your wonderful photos. Efcharisto!
So much love percolating in your words and food …. can’t wait to try this recipe !
I love reading about your family. I always recognize some of them as the same in my husband’s family. George and I married straight out of high school and although my background is Irish and English with a little native American thrown in, I learned how to cook his favorite meals and became a member of the family. We had two girls that have also learned to cook these wonderful dishes. I am so glad that I have found your blog. I love your recipes and already feel that we are in the same family. Thank You.
Ah, Maureen. How you’ve grown this past two years. I’m so happy to read your family stories and to learn that things are well with you and your new family. You’re lucky to have a tall young man in your life as well as Dan. I love the stories as much as the recipes. Thank you once again for sharing some of your life. I anxiously await the next chapter. Take good care. Love, Edra
For some reason I’ve recently been craving “spinach pie”. I was even looking to buy some in my area (Troy, MI). First, it’s hard to find, and secondly I didn’t want to compromise…now I don’t have too! Heading to Whole Foods tonite and will make it tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this treasured recipe!
I got all my ingredients at Whole Foods last night and baked my Spinach Pie tonight. My Husband and I loved it! I’m sharing some with my Mom and a friend tomorrow. Thank you again for sharing this yummy recipe.
Maureen, your recollection of your grandmother is as welcoming as this recipe. Thanks for sharing such a lovely memory with us. My grandmother along with being an amazing cook was equally talented baker. Our visits were celebrated with wonderful meals around the large dining room table. To this day, I remember my grandmother’s Lebanese chicken and rice dinner as one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. Here’s to the Sittos of the world who fawn over their grandchildren and spoil us rotten with fond memories and great food.