01 -
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 -
In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil, mixing until a soft dough forms.
03 -
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
04 -
In a bowl, combine the well-drained spinach, crumbled feta, minced garlic, black pepper, oregano, and parsley. Mix thoroughly.
05 -
Punch down the dough and divide into 32 even pieces. Flatten each piece into a small disc.
06 -
Place about 1 tsp of filling in the center of each disc. Pinch the edges to seal, forming a ball.
07 -
Arrange the filled balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape: start with one ball at the top, then each subsequent row increases by one ball, forming a triangle (e.g., 1, 2, 3... up to 7 balls for the base row). Use any extra balls for the tree trunk at the bottom.
08 -
Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
09 -
Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
10 -
Remove from oven and brush with melted butter, if desired. Let cool slightly before serving.