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Batzina
Batzína: Thessalian courgette and feta pie with a thin cornmeal-flour crust, no filo
Batzina is the lazy pie of Thessaly and the Pelion villages, the one you make in summer when courgettes are taking over the garden and nobody wants to roll filo. Grated courgette and feta are mixed with a thin batter of flour, cornmeal, milk and eggs, poured into an oiled tin and baked until the top is cracked and golden and the inside soft and savoury, like a crustless quiche. It travels well to the beach. Feta is usually made with animal rennet; choose a vegetarian feta-style cheese if needed. Common mistake: skipping the squeezing — watery courgettes make a soggy pie. Chef's tip: sprinkle cornmeal over the oiled tin before pouring in; it gives a crisp base.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Toss 2 ¼ lb courgettes with 1 tsp salt in a colander and leave for 20 minutes. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can, by handfuls or in a clean towel.
20 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan). Brush a 25 × 35 cm tin with 2 tbsp olive oil and scatter with a spoonful of the 2 ⅛ oz fine cornmeal.
Step 3: Whisk 3 eggs, ¾ cup milk and 2 tbsp olive oil, then whisk in 3 ½ oz plain flour and the rest of the cornmeal to a smooth, pourable batter.
Step 4: Stir in the courgettes, 9 oz feta, ⅓ oz fresh mint, 4 spring onions and ½ tsp black pepper.
Step 5: Pour into the tin and level. Drizzle with the rest of 1 tbsp olive oil.
Step 6: Bake for 45–50 minutes, until puffed, golden and cracked on top and set in the middle.
50 minStep 7: Cool 15 minutes before cutting. Good warm or at room temperature.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 350 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 23 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does batzina take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of courgettes?
- Cucumber, same weight (raw dishes only).
- What can I use instead of feta?
- Goat's cheese or ricotta salata, same amount.
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