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Scacchi (Mediterranean Passover "lasagna")

Scacchi (Mediterranean Passover "lasagna") Recipe

This traditional Sephardic Passover main course uses leaven-free matzo in place of regular lasagna noodles, and has a delicious meat and spinach/mushroom filling.
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Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Calories 398.7 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 -10 matzos
  • 1 cup chicken broth or 1 cup stock, warm
  • 3 eggs, beaten with a little broth

MEAT FILLING

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef or 1 1/2 lbs lamb
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 -2 garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup raisins, soaked in warm water

VEGETABLE FILLING

  • 1 1/2 lbs spinach
  • 1/2 lb button mushroom, sliced
  • 2 medium onions, diced
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the meat filling. In a medium pan, cook the meat with the onions and a little olive oil until browned, drain off fat. Add the raisins, parsley, allspice and cinnamon, cook for another couple of minutes. Set the meat mixture aside.
  • Now for the vegetable filling! In a little olive oil, cook the onions until translucent, then add the pine nuts and sliced mushrooms, cook for a couple minutes longer. Stir in the spinach (with a bit of water if the spinach isn't frozen) and nutmeg. Cook until the spinach is wilted, set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and soak the matzah in the warm broth until slightly softened and flexible.
  • Grease a 9x13" glass pan, and place two soaked matzo in the bottom of the dish, with the edges overlapping slightly.
  • Spread a layer of the meat mixture atop the matzo, followed by more matzo. Add a layer of the vegetables. Continue until the filling runs out, then top the pan with a final soaked matzo layer.
  • Drizzle the beaten egg/chicken broth along the top of the dish.
  • Bake until golden brown on top, about 30-45 minutes. If the top layer of matzo curls up or gets too crispy, you may want to pour a little additional broth over it.

Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 328gCalories: 398.7kcalCarbohydrates: 35.6gProtein: 25.2gFat: 18.4gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 127.6mgSodium: 249.8mgFiber: 4.4gSugar: 13.8g
Keyword < 4 Hours, Asian, European, Greens, Kosher, Meat, Middle Eastern, One-Dish Meal, Savory Pies, Spanish, Spinach, Vegetable
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