Sephardic Spinach Patties

Keftes de Espinaca -- this is the closest thing I have found to Croquetas de Espinaca (Spinach Croquettes). A friend brought them over about 6 months ago and have been looking for them ever since. She bought them from a bakery that moved out of town. Even spinach haters can't resist them, especially when they're splashed with a little fresh lemon juice; fresh juice does make a major difference in taste. Onions add a sweet flavor and textural complexity.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 16 patties

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons olive oil or 3  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 2 -4  garlic cloves, minced (optional)
• 2  lbs fresh spinach, stemmed, cooked, chopped, and squeezed dry or 20  ounces  thawed frozen chopped spinach, squeezed dry
• 1  cup matzo meal (or more or less) or 1  cup  fine dry breadcrumb
• 3⁄4 teaspoon table salt or 1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt
•  ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  freshly grated nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
• 3  large eggs, lightly beaten
•  vegetable oil (for frying)
•  lemon wedge, for serving

Directions

1. PREPARATION:.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the onion and, if using, the garlic and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and add the spinach, matza meal, salt, pepper, and, if using, the nutmeg.
5. Stir in the eggs.
6. If the mixture is too loose, add a little more matza meal.
7. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for a day.
8. Shape the spinach mixture into patties 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide, with tapered ends.
9. In a large skillet, heat a thin layer of oil over medium heat.
10. In batches, fry the patties, turning, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
11. Drain on paper toweling.
12. Serve warm, accompanied with lemon wedges.
13. VARIATIONS.
14. Sephardic Spinach Patties with Cheese (Keftes de Espinaca con Queso):
15. Add 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Muenster, Swiss, Gouda, or Cheddar cheese; or 1/4 cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese.
16. Sephardic Spinach Patties with Walnuts (Keftes de Espinaca con Muez): Substitute 1/2 to 1 cup finely chopped walnuts for the matza meal.
17. *To reheat the spinach patties, place in a large skillet, add 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock, and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.