Savory Spinach-Ricotta Pumpkin Bites

Ingredients

• 2 sheets Frozen all-butter puff pastry (Thawed but cold; cut into 4-inch circles)
• 1 cup Cooked spinach (Squeezed completely dry and chopped)
• 1 cup Whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano (Freshly grated)
• 1 egg Egg wash (Beaten with 1 tsp water)
• 1 tsp Water (Mixed into the beaten egg for the egg wash)
• 1 tbsp Mixed white and black sesame seeds
• Pretzel sticks (Broken into 1-inch segments for stems)
• Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (For garnish)
• Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (To taste)
• Creamy garlic-herb dip (For serving)
• Food-safe baker's twine (Used to shape the pastry; snip and remove before serving)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the filling by placing the completely dry, chopped spinach, ricotta, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until the filling is thick and cohesive.

2. 2

   Working with the cold puff pastry, cut 4-inch circles from the two sheets.

3. 3

   Spoon 2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each pastry circle.

4. 4

   Gather the pastry edges upward and pinch them tightly to form a sealed round ball. Turn each ball seam-side down.

5. 5

   Loop food-safe baker's twine around each pastry ball across four intersecting axes, creating eight segments. Tie the twine loosely at the top so the pastry has room to expand while baking.

6. 6

   Brush each shaped pastry thoroughly with the egg wash.

7. 7

   Sprinkle the mixed sesame seeds around the top knot of each pastry.

8. 8

   Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and deep golden-brown.

9. 9

   Allow the baked pumpkin bites to cool for 5 minutes.

10. 10

    Snip and remove all of the baker's twine.

11. 11

    Insert a 1-inch pretzel segment as a stem and add a fresh parsley leaf to the center of each bite.

12. 12

    Serve the pumpkin bites warm with creamy garlic-herb dip.

Notes

The source does not specify the exact number of pastry circles or bites produced; the serving estimate is based on approximately 12 appetizer portions. Use only food-safe baker's twine and remove it completely before serving.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• snack
• vegetarian
• holiday
• fall
• Friendsgiving
• Thanksgiving
• baked