Baked Spinach and

Feta Phyllo Cigars

Filo pastry rolls with black sesame seeds, microgreens, and a bowl of yogurt sauce on a blue plate.

Golden, crisp, and filled with spinach and feta — these phyllo cigars are a beloved staple in my kitchen. Our mothers and grandmothers always keep a stash of ma‘ajanat (savory pastries) in the freezer, ready to bake when guests arrive unexpectedly. Some are made with cheese, meat or savory vegetable fillings. Spinach, a winter crop in Palestine, finds its way into comforting stews, fresh salads, and flaky pastries like this — a simple gesture of warmth and hospitality shared around the table.

Ingredients

  • 1 package frozen phyllo dough thawed For the filling

  • 1 bag frozen spinach thawed

  • 1 cup crumbled feta

  • 1 red onion minced (you can sautée it or leave it raw)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • A few grates of fresh nutmeg

  • Zest of one Lemon

  • 2 tsp sumac

  • 2 tbls pine nuts Nigella seeds or sesame seeds and flaky salt (optional)

  • Olive oil for brushing

Dipping Sauce:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt

  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta

  • Juice and zest of one Lemon

  • A drizzle of olive oil

  • Whirl all ingredients in a blender or a mixer until smooth and fluffy

Tip: Phyllo dough gets soggy after it sits out for a while just reheat in a toaster oven and enjoy

* These cigars are freezer friendly. Freeze them in a one sheet pan until frozen solid. Once frozen, pack in a freezer reusable bag. Don't defrost, reheat in a 350 oven until crisp and heated through 15-20 minutes.

Steps

  1. Filling: Squeeze the spinach until all the water comes out you can do that using a couple of paper towels. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, sumac, feta, pine nuts, onions, lemon zest.

  2. Take 1 sheet of filo dough (make sure to cover the remaining sheets with a clean kitchen towel to prevent them from drying)

  3. Cut the sheet of phyllo into 3 even strips and brush with olive oil.

  4. Fold each strip in half creating a double layer.

  5. Place one teaspoon of the filling along the short side of the rectangle and roll creating a cigar ha!

  6. Brush the top with olive oil and add a sprinkle of nigella seeds and flaky salt on top if you want to be fancy u know.

  7. Brush, fill, roll and repeat until you are done it goes by so fast.

  8. Line the cigars in a parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a 350 oven for about 20 min until golden and crisp.