Apple, Onion and Speck Strudel

The apple, onion, and speck strudel is a dish that deliciously combines sweet and savory. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 1 roll of puff pastry or strudel dough
• 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 150 g of speck, thinly sliced
• 1 large onion, finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten (for brushing)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Ground cinnamon (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
2. In a pan, melt the butter and add the sliced onions. Sauté over medium heat until they become translucent and then slightly golden.
3. Add the brown sugar to the onions and allow them to caramelize lightly.
4. Add the apple slices to the pan, season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a dusting of cinnamon if you wish. Cook for a few minutes until the apples soften slightly. Allow the mixture to cool.
5. Roll out the puff pastry or strudel pastry on a lightly floured surface. Evenly distribute the speck slices on the pastry, leaving a free edge of about 2 cm on the sides.
6. Place the apple and onion mixture over the speck.
7. Roll up the pastry upon itself forming a roll, seal the edges and fold the ends under the strudel.
8. Transfer the strudel to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
9. Brush the surface of the strudel with the beaten egg.
10. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the strudel is golden and crispy.
11. Remove from the oven and let it cool down slightly before serving.

Fun Fact

The apple strudel is a traditional dessert of Central Europe, but the version with speck and onions is a variant that adds a unique and rustic touch to the dish. In Trentino-South Tyrol, for example, it is common to find delicious versions of strudel that combine Alpine traditional ingredients with the sweetness of apples.

If you like to experiment, you could also add walnuts or raisins for an additional layer of flavor. Enjoy your meal!