62. Squash and Kohlrabi Empanadas

Okay, I don't think these would classify as true empanadas, but they are still tasty.  They remind me of a vegetable pot pie.  

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger, minced

2 kohlrabi bulbs, peeled and cubed

salt and pepper to taste

1 large yellow squash, cubed

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 egg

1 teaspoon water

1 (15 ounce) package pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook and stir until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in kohlrabi, and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until kohrabi has softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Toss in yellow squash and continue to cook until squash is tender for 4 more minutes. Stir in the green onion, spinach, and nutmeg. Add more salt and pepper, as needed. Cook until the spinach has wilted, about 1 minutes. Set mixture aside to cool.

2.     Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat the egg with water in a small bowl; set aside.

3.     Roll out the pie crust by running a rolling pin over it once or twice. Cut out about 16 6-inch circles using a large cookie cutter or cereal bowl. Fill the center of each circle with about 1 tablespoon of the kohlrabi mixture. Brush the edges of the pastry with water, then fold the dough in half. Crimp the edge of the dough with a fork to seal, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pastry and vegetable filling. Prick each empanada with a fork, then brush with the egg wash.

4.   Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and flaky, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve hot from the oven.