In Lebanon and Syria, spinach-filled pastry triangles are found in every bakery and at every family party. The triangle shape has a practical reason: it seals well, so the juicy filling stays inside while it’s baked or fried. Spinach is one of the most popular fillings, often with onion, lemon and sumac. Traditionally, the spinach is squeezed hard before it goes in, so the pastry doesn’t turn soggy.
How we serve sambousek sabanekh
At Dunya in Mannheim we fill the pastry triangles with fragrant spinach, delicately seasoned with Middle Eastern spices, and fry them until golden and crisp. The wafer-thin case cracks with every bite, revealing the savoury filling.
They come with a cool, creamy yoghurt and cucumber sauce. Fresh mint and bright pomegranate seeds add a fruity contrast to the spiced filling.
For sharing
Sambousek sabanekh is a hot vegetarian starter that’s great for sharing. Together with sambousek bil jibne, you’ve got two fillings to compare. Cold dips like hummus or moutabal and a fresh salad like tabbouleh go well alongside.
If you’re vegetarian, sambousek, falafel and batata harra add up to a whole meal. For everyone else, follow it with something from the grill, like the Dunya Grill Platter.
For buffets and receptions
Pastries can be eaten without cutlery, which makes them ideal for standing receptions, birthdays and company parties. For occasions like these, we deliver hot and cold starters as catering – for small groups too, as there’s no minimum order.
