Baked Zucchini Rolls

Baked zucchini rolls are a tasty and healthy dish, great for an appetizer or a light main course. Here is the recipe to prepare delicious Italian-style baked zucchini rolls.

Ingredients

• 4 large zucchini
• 200 g of fresh ricotta
• 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons of chopped basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Breadcrumbs (optional for a crispy crust)
• Tomato sauce (optional for serving)

Preparation

1. Start by washing the zucchini and cutting them lengthwise into slices about 3-5 mm thick. It’s important that the slices aren’t too thick to ensure they cook properly.

2. Grill the zucchini slices on a griddle or in a non-stick pan until they are soft but still firm. You can brush them with a little oil and sprinkle with some salt before cooking.

3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the ricotta with the Parmesan, the egg, the chopped basil, a pinch of salt, and some ground pepper to create the filling.

4. Take a slice of grilled zucchini, place some of the ricotta filling at the base, and gently roll it up to form a roll.

5. Repeat the process with all the zucchini slices.

6. Arrange the rolls in an oiled baking dish. If desired, you can sprinkle some breadcrumbs over the rolls to create a crispy crust.

7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (356 °F) for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.

Optionally, you can serve them on a bed of tomato sauce for a contrast in flavors or sprinkle with some extra Parmesan.

Curiosity

Zucchini rolls are a versatile recipe that can be adapted in many ways, for example, you can add chopped spinach into the ricotta or replace the Parmesan with Pecorino for a bolder flavor. Furthermore, some prefer to cook the zucchini without grilling them first, wrapping them raw around the filling and letting them cook directly in the oven.