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Zhingyalov Hats

A thin flatbread folded around a filling of chopped herbs and greens, then cooked on a hot griddle.
Course Bread
Cuisine Armenian
Keyword Artsakh flatbread, jingalov hats, zhingyalov hats
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 flatbreads
Author Lilit Sargsyan

Equipment

  • large, heavy frying pan or griddle (saj)

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 420 g plain (all-purpose) flour about 3⅓ cups, plus extra for rolling
  • 280–310 ml warm water about 1¼ cups, add gradually
  • 1 tsp salt

For the filling

  • about 900 g mixed greens and herbs trimmed and chopped, roughly 1 kg as bought; at least 5–6 kinds, see the tips
  • 6–8 spring onions green and white parts
  • 3 tbsp sunflower or other neutral oil
  • about 1½ tsp salt add just before filling
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1–2 tbsp lemon juice optional, for sourness if you have no sorrel
  • paprika or chilli flakes optional, a pinch

Instructions

  • Make the dough. Mix the flour and salt, then add the water a little at a time. Knead for 4–5 minutes into a soft, smooth dough. Cover and rest for 20–30 minutes.
  • Prepare the greens. Wash them and dry them well, because wet greens tear the dough. Remove tough stems. Wear gloves for nettles until they are chopped.
  • Chop. Chop all the greens and the spring onions finely by hand.
  • Dress the filling at the last minute. Just before shaping, mix the greens with the oil, salt, pepper and any lemon or paprika. Salt draws water out of the leaves, so don't do this early.
  • Roll out. Divide the dough into 8 balls. Roll each one on a floured surface into a thin round about 20 cm (8 in) across.
  • Fill and close. Pile a generous handful of filling in the middle, leaving a border. Bring the edges up over the filling and pinch them together along the centre. Turn the bread over and press it flat with your palm. Alternatively, fill one half and fold it into a half-moon.
  • Cook. Heat a large, dry, heavy frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook each bread for 2–4 minutes per side over medium heat, until browned in spots and cooked through.
  • Serve hot. Brush with a little butter or oil if you like. Stack the breads between clean towels to keep them soft, and eat them warm.

Notes

Tips
  • Substitutes for wild greens – build the base from spinach, chard or beet leaves. Then add something sour (sorrel, or lemon juice), something aromatic (coriander, dill, tarragon or chervil) and something peppery (watercress or radish leaves).
  • Thin dough – dough rolled too thick, or cooked too briefly, stays doughy.
  • Freezing – cool the cooked breads completely, freeze them, and reheat from frozen in a hot oven.