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5.0 from 3 votes

Ispanakhis Pkhali

Ispanakhis pkhali is a delicious traditional vegan Georgian specialty prepared with spinach and ground walnuts.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 people
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Georgian , Vegan

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb fresh spinach
  • 8 oz. walnuts
  • 1 bunch cilantro , chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic , finely chopped
  • 1 scallion , chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons walnut oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
  • salt
  • pepper
  • pomegranate seeds

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Blanch the spinach in a large volume of boiling salted water for 5 minutes to soften.
  2. Drain and immerse immediately in a large volume of ice water to stop cooking and keep them green. Drain and squeeze to extract maximum moisture.
  3. Chop the spinach coarsely.
  4. Grind the walnuts to obtain a coarse powder.
  5. Mix the ground walnuts together with all the other ingredients to obtain a homogeneous mixture. Refrigerate for 6 hours before eating.
  6. The ispanakhis pkhali can either be shaped in individual balls or served in a platter for the whole table.
  7. Garnish the ispanakhis pkhali with pomegranate seeds, cilantro leaves and/or whole nuts.

Notes

  • To add flavor, toast whole coriander seeds and grind them.