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Ko'k somsa
Wild greens baked pastries
Uzbek baked spring pastries filled with wild greens, herbs and onion
UzbekKo'k somsa, 'green somsa', is made across Uzbekistan in the weeks around Navruz, when the first wild greens and herbs push through and families celebrate them in everything. Triangles of thin dough are packed with chopped spinach, sorrel, dill, coriander and spring onion, seasoned only with salt, pepper and a little butter, then baked until golden. They are eaten warm with green tea and sumalak. The common mistake is leaving the greens raw and wet, which makes the pastry soggy; wilt and squeeze them first. Chef's tip: brush the tops with egg yolk and scatter black sesame for the classic bakery shine.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the dough
- 14 oz plain flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 ⅛ oz buttermelted
For the filling
- 14 oz spinach
- 3 ½ oz sorrel or extra spinach
- 1 ¾ oz fresh dill and corianderchopped
- 6 spring onionschopped
- 1 oz buttersoft
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
To finish
- 1 egg yolkbeaten
- 1 tbsp black or white sesame seeds
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix the 14 oz plain flour, ½ tsp salt, ¾ cup warm water and 2 ⅛ oz butter and knead for 5 minutes into a soft dough. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
10 minStep 2: Wilt the 14 oz spinach and 3 ½ oz sorrel or extra spinach in a large pan with a splash of water for 2–3 minutes. Cool, then squeeze out as much liquid as you can and chop.
5 minStep 3: Mix the greens with the 1 ¾ oz fresh dill and coriander, 6 spring onions, 1 oz butter, ¾ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan).
5 minStep 4: Divide the dough into 12 balls and roll each into a 13 cm circle. Spoon filling into the centre, fold three sides up into a triangle and pinch the seams tightly closed.
15 minStep 5: Place seam side down on a lined tray, brush with 1 egg yolk and scatter with 1 tbsp black or white sesame seeds. Bake for 22–25 minutes until deep golden and crisp underneath. Serve warm.
25 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 360 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ko'k somsa take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 50 minutes to prepare and 25 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.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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