The Puff pastry baskets with spinach, potatoes and scamorza are those small savory pastries that can transform simple ingredients into something really special. The puff pastry, golden and crispy, becomes a perfect shell that encloses a soft and tasty filling, where the delicacy of the potatoes meets the flavor of the spinach and the gooey note of scamorza.
The heart of these baskets is a potato purée scented with nutmeg, enriched by spinach sautéed in a pan and cubes of scamorza that melt during cooking, creating an irresistible texture. The contrast between the crispness of the pastry and the creamy filling makes every bite particularly indulgent.
Perfect as a tasty appetizer, for a savory buffet, a homemade aperitif or to enhance a festive table, these puff pastry baskets are easy to prepare and always much appreciated. They are also great to make in advance and serve hot or warm.
A simple but impressive recipe, ideal when you want to bring something rustic, inviting and full of flavor to the table without complicating things in the kitchen.
Also try these other tasty recipes:
- Puff pastry baskets with potatoes, mortadella and scamorza: a gourmet delight full of flavor and melting heart, easy and quick to prepare.
- Puff pastry rolls with salmon: an elegant and quick appetizer with cheese and aromatic herbs
- Puff pastry roses with zucchini and ham: a tasty and refined appetizer for every occasion
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 6 pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 389.74 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 25.55 (g) of which sugars 1.11 (g)
- Proteins 11.82 (g)
- Fat 26.66 (g) of which saturated 4.31 (g)of which unsaturated 14.72 (g)
- Fibers 2.49 (g)
- Sodium 653.59 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 90 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Puff pastry baskets with spinach, potatoes and scamorza
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 1 2/3 cups spinach, cooked, boiled
- 2 potatoes
- 5 oz scamorza
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 4 pinches salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation of puff pastry baskets with spinach and potatoes
Boil the potatoes in lightly salted cold water for about 20 minutes, until tender. Drain them, then pass them through a potato ricer collecting the purée in a bowl.
Season with two pinches of salt and a grating of nutmeg, mix well and transfer part of the mixture into a piping bag.
Cut the scamorza into cubes.
In a pan melt the butter, then add the previously chopped spinach. Lightly salt and let it flavor for a few minutes. Add some cubes of scamorza and cook over medium heat until it starts to melt. Remove from the heat.
Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a work surface and cut it into 6 squares.
Lightly butter a muffin tin and press a square of pastry into each mold, making sure it adheres well to the edges. Prick the base with the tines of a fork.
Spread a layer of potato purée on the bottom of the baskets, then add the spinach and a few scamorza cubes.
Finish with the remaining potato purée, creating small rosettes with the piping bag. Brush the pastry edges with a little olive oil.
Preheat the oven to 392°F and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the baskets are well golden.
Once ready, let them cool for a few minutes, then gently unmold and serve.
Storage of puff pastry baskets with spinach
Puff pastry baskets with spinach, potatoes and scamorza can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days, kept in an airtight container or covered with cling film, so they stay soft inside and crispy outside.
Before serving, I recommend reheating them in the oven at 356°F for about 5-8 minutes, to restore the puff pastry’s crispness and make the scamorza pleasantly gooey again.
You can also freeze them cooked: let them cool completely, place them in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, simply put them directly into a hot oven for a few minutes.
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FAQ
Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Simply thaw it, squeeze it well to remove excess water, and then sauté it in a pan as indicated in the recipe.
What can I substitute for scamorza?
You can substitute it with provolone, well-drained mozzarella or fontina, all cheeses that become soft and stretchy when cooked.
How can I prevent the puff pastry from becoming soggy on the bottom?
To get crisp baskets it is important to prick the base of the pastry with a fork and avoid overfilling with a too-moist filling.
