Artichoke and Speck Parmigiana

The Artichoke and Speck Parmigiana is a tasty variation of the traditional eggplant parmigiana. Pairing artichokes with speck gives the dish a richer flavor and a touch of originality. Here is how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 8 fresh artichokes
• 200 g of sliced speck
• 200 g of mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella is better) sliced or diced
• 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Flour for dusting the artichokes
• 2 eggs
• Oil for frying
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Tomato sauce (about 500 ml, which you can prepare with peeled tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, and basil)

Preparation

1. Clean the artichokes by removing the harder leaves and the spiky tips, then slice them thinly and place them in acidulated water with lemon juice to prevent oxidation.
2. Prepare a plate with flour and another with beaten eggs, seasoned with salt and black pepper.
3. Heat plenty of oil in a frying pan.
4. Drain the artichokes from the water, coat them first in flour, then in the beaten egg, and fry them in the hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a little salt.
5. In a baking dish, spread a first layer of tomato sauce.
6. Lay a first layer of fried artichokes, then a layer of speck and mozzarella, sprinkle with Parmesan and cover with some sauce.
7. Continue layering the artichokes, speck, mozzarella, Parmesan, and sauce until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a sprinkling of Parmesan.
8. Bake at 180 °C for about 20-30 minutes or until the surface is well browned and the mozzarella is melted.

Serve hot or warm, it will be a delicious main course or a unique dish.

Curiosity

The artichoke parmigiana is a delicious reinterpretation of the more famous eggplant parmigiana, a typical dish from Southern Italy. With the addition of speck, it creates a meeting of flavors from the earth and the mountains, offering the palate a unique taste experience. Remember to work quickly with the artichokes to prevent them from darkening and if you wish, for a lighter version, you can grill or steam the artichokes instead of frying them.