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Epicurious
Gourmet

Feta Walnut Date Cigars

3.8

(15)

Image may contain Food and Hot Dog
Photo by Jeffery Schad

If these whimsical hors d'oeuvres taste somewhat familiar to you it's because they happen to be a fancified take on bourek, Turkish feta-stuffed phyllo rolls. Here, those familiar flavors not only echo ingredients of Turkish cuisine, but are also reminiscent of walnut-date bread with cream cheese: a delicious American classic. For more seasonal recipes, download the free Gourmet Live app and stay tuned to the Gourmet Live blog for the latest updates.

Cooks' notes:

•Filling can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
•Unbaked cigars keep frozen for up to 1 week. To freeze, put cigars on a rimmed baking sheet and freeze until very firm, about 1 hour, then transfer to a sealable plastic bag. When ready to bake, do not thaw. Place frozen cigars on a baking sheet and place directly in oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
•If using frozen phyllo, be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions for thawing it; if you are in a hurry and try to thaw it too quickly, you'll likely end up with a frustrating mass of stuck-together sheets or a pile of shreds.
•Fresh phyllo that’s never been frozen is a delight to work with; you might find it labeled 'strudel dough'. Look for it in international, Greek, Middle Eastern, or Eastern European markets.

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