Giant Green Pie (Torta Pasqualina)
- 375 grams all-purpose flour, about 3 cups, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 1/2 pounds washed greens (a mix of chard, spinach or other greens)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing pastry layers
- 3 cups diced onion
- Salt and pepper
- Grated nutmeg, to taste
- 1 cup ricotta
- 3 ounces grated Parmesan
- 9 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons sugar, optional
- Make the dough: Put flour in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir together 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt and 4 tablespoons oil, then pour over flour and mix until dough comes together in a rough ball.
- Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes, adding more flour if dough is sticky.
- Wrap and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- (May refrigerate overnight and bring to room temperature.)
- Make the filling: Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Working in batches, blanch a handful of greens at a time, dropping them into the water until just wilted, then cooling in a colander under running water.
- Divide greens into 4 balls and squeeze to remove as much water as possible.
- Chop greens coarsely with a large knife, then squeeze again.
- There should be about 4 cups cooked greens.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet or wide pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and a little salt and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add greens, season generously with salt and pepper, and mix well.
- Turn off heat.
- Add nutmeg, ricotta and half the Parmesan and mix.
- Taste and adjust; it should be highly seasoned.
- Beat 4 of the eggs.
- Set aside 3 tablespoons beaten egg; add remaining beaten egg to greens and mix well.
- Let cool.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut dough into 4 pieces and form into balls.
- Roll out each ball into a very thin 12-inch circle.
- Place 1 dough circle on a 12-inch pizza pan lined with parchment.
- Brush lightly with oil, then lay another dough circle on top.
- Spoon greens evenly over dough to a 2-inch thickness, leaving a 1-inch border of dough.
- Smooth the surface.
- With a soup spoon, make 5 indentations in greens and crack a raw egg into each depression.
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
- Cover with another dough circle and paint lightly with oil.
- Place last dough circle on top.
- Using a paring knife, trim any excess dough at perimeter of pie.
- Fold outer edges together and crimp to seal pie.
- Paint top with reserved beaten egg.
- Sprinkle with sugar if desired.
- Using a paring knife, make 2 or 3 steam vents.
- Bake for about 45 minutes, until very well browned.
- Slide torta onto a cutting board and let cool slightly before slicing.
- May also be served at room temperature.
flour, salt, olive oil, chard, olive oil, onion, salt, nutmeg, ricotta, parmesan, eggs, sugar
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014732 (may not work)