spanakopita

American  

[span-uh-koh-pi-tuh, spah-nah-kaw-pee-tah] / ˌspæn əˈkoʊ pɪ tə, ˌspɑ nɑˈkɔ pi tɑ /

noun

Greek Cooking.

1. a baked dish consisting of spinach, feta cheese, eggs, and scallions enclosed in layers of phyllo.

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Etymology

Origin of spanakopita

First recorded in 1940–45; from Modern Greek spanakópita, equivalent to spanako-, combining form of spanáki, from Medieval Greek spanákion “spinach” + píta “bread, cake, pie”; see also spinach ( def. ), pita ¹

Example Sentences

From Spanakopita to a Roasted Hatch Chile & Jalapeño Cheese Dip, here are eight items that are guaranteed to make you a stellar guest at your next potluck.

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2025

Crafted by Athenian bakers themselves, TJ’s Greek Spanakopita is as authentic as it gets.

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2025

Angela Bassett voices Ana Spanakopita, his “Oscar whisperer” publicist.

From New York Times • Dec. 25, 2016

Spanakopita takes the shape of an egg roll, for instance, but it’s still flaky pastry encasing molten spinach and feta cheese — in finger-food form.

From Washington Post