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Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add onions and cook until just softened but not brown, about 10 minutes.
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Add greens and half of the salt and continue to cook and stir until completely wilted, another 10 minutes, keeping heat low enough so onions do not brown.
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Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
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4
Stir in scallions, panko, Parmesan, nutmeg, and pesto.
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5
Taste mixture (before adding eggs) and season, starting with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and adjusting to taste (I used 3/4 teaspoon pepper and the flavor was quite prominent, if youre into lots of pepper).
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6
Stir in eggs, breaking up yolks and combining completely into a uniform mixture.
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7
Heat oven to 375 F (if baking immediately) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Roll the mixture into balls of 1 1/2 tablespoons each and place on baking sheet.
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Sprinkle the top of each ball with a pinch of grated Parmesan.
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To bake immediately: Bake about 20 minutes in the upper third of the oven, until completely cooked through (no liquid egg inside) and browned on the bottom.
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When done, the puffs will spring back when squeezed lightly.
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To freeze: Place the un-baked tray of balls in the freezer, covered loosely with plastic wrap, until balls are frozen through, about 2 hours.
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Remove balls from sheet and store in a freezer bag or another airtight, freezer safe container.
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To bake, follow directions above.
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Thawing not necessaryjust add 5 minutes to the cook time above (25 minutes total).
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Notes: 1.
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Makes 20 puffs, about 4 to 6 appetizer servings.
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2.
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I think these would be a really fun brunch appetizer!
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3.
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In testing, I used Swiss chard and green kale (the fluffy, curly one).
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If substituting other varieties of greens, use something mild and tender in place of the chard or spinach, and something sturdy, and possibly slightly bitter, in place of the kale.
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4.
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Refrigerating the mixture (right in the pan; for 15 to 30 minutes) before forming balls helps it to firm up, making it even easier to handle.
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25
I tried it warm and refrigerated, without issues either way.
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5.
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If making for a strict vegetarian, make sure the pesto and Parmesan do not contain animal rennet.
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Varieties that work will likely be labeled vegetarian.