Description
These Delicious Spinach and Filo Parcels are a perfect savory snack or appetizer. Crispy filo pastry envelopes a flavorful filling of spinach, feta, and aromatic herbs, baked to golden perfection. Ideal for your next snack attack or party platter.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 small Red onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried dill
- 400 grams Frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 200 grams Feta cheese, crumbled
- 50 grams Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Pastry
- 10 sheets Filo pastry
- 50 grams Salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) or 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with baking paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Thaw Spinach: Fully thaw the frozen spinach and squeeze out all excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or your hands. This step is crucial to prevent soggy parcels.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, and dried dill. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Cook Spinach: Add the drained spinach to the pan and cook together for another 1-2 minutes to blend flavors and remove excess moisture.
- Cool Mixture: Transfer the spinach mixture to a medium bowl and allow it to cool. This prevents the egg in the next step from cooking prematurely.
- Combine Filling: Once cooled, mix in the crumbled feta cheese, grated kefalotyri or Parmesan, the beaten egg, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well until evenly combined.
- Prepare Filo Sheets: Lay one sheet of filo pastry flat on your workspace and brush it generously with melted butter. Top with another filo sheet and brush it too. Repeat until you have two layers ready.
- Cut Pastry: Fold the layered pastry sheet in half and cut into squares large enough to hold a spoonful of filling.
- Assemble Parcels: Place a spoonful of the spinach and cheese filling onto each square. Fold the squares into triangles and press the edges firmly, brushing with melted butter to seal.
- Finish Preparation: Brush the tops of the parcels with more melted butter and, if desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra crunch and flavor.
- Bake: Arrange the parcels on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- Ensure all excess moisture is removed from the spinach to keep pastry crisp.
- You can substitute kefalotyri with Parmesan or another hard cheese if unavailable.
- Work quickly when handling filo pastry as it dries out fast.
- These parcels can be served warm or at room temperature, making them perfect for parties.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in an oven to maintain crispiness.
