Asparagus stuffed rolls

Asparagus stuffed rolls are a delicious and elegant dish, perfect for spring when asparagus is fresh and in season. Here is an Italian version of the dish:

Ingredients

• 12 fresh asparagus
• 12 slices of thin raw ham
• 12 slices of cheese (such as Fontina or Scamorza), thinly cut
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper
• Aromatic herbs to taste (thyme, rosemary, etc.)

Preparation

1. First, clean the asparagus by removing the harder end part of the stem and washing them under running water.
2. Boil the asparagus in salted boiling water for a few minutes. The time will depend on their thickness, but usually a few minutes are enough to soften them slightly while still maintaining a bit of crunch.
3. Drain and quickly pass them in cold water to maintain a nice emerald green color.
4. Dry them and season with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper.
5. On the slice of ham, place a slice of cheese and on it, place an asparagus. If the cheese or ham are too large, you can trim them to fit the size of the asparagus.
6. Roll the ham around the asparagus and cheese, forming a roll.
7. Arrange the rolls in a lightly oiled baking dish or on an oven grill.
8. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (392 °F) and cook the rolls for about 10-15 minutes, or until the ham becomes crispy and the cheese has melted.
9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh aromatic herbs.

Curiosity

The combination of asparagus and ham is a classic in Italian cuisine. Asparagus has a delicate and slightly bitter taste that pairs excellently with the saltiness of raw ham and the creaminess of melted cheese. This dish can serve both as an appetizer and as a side dish, and can be transformed into a main dish by adding a base of pilaf rice or mashed potatoes.

Buon appetito!