Burrata with Grilled Vegetables and Fruit

Burrata with grilled vegetables and fruit is a fresh, colorful, and delicious dish, perfect for summer. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 1 high-quality burrata
• 1 zucchini
• 1 small eggplant
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 peach or a slice of watermelon
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnishing
• Balsamic vinegar or balsamic reduction (optional)

Preparation

1. Wash the vegetables. Cut the zucchini and eggplant into longitudinal slices about half a centimeter thick. Cut the bell pepper in half, remove the seeds and cut it into large pieces.
2. Cut the selected fruit into slices one centimeter thick, in the case of the peach, or into large pieces if using watermelon.
3. Heat a grill or grill pan on the fire to the right temperature – it should be nice and hot.
4. Grill the vegetables and fruit, turning them once, until they have the classic grill marks and are cooked but still slightly crunchy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Meanwhile, place the burrata in the center of a serving dish.
6. When the vegetables and fruit are grilled, arrange them around the burrata harmoniously and artistically.
7. Drizzle with a stream of extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
8. Garnish with basil leaves and, if liked, a bit of balsamic reduction to add a touch of sweetness and acidity.
9. Serve immediately, while the vegetables and fruit are still warm to contrast with the freshness of the burrata.

Curiosity

Burrata is a typically Apulian cheese, which presents with a mozzarella-like exterior and a creamy, stringy heart of stracciatella and cream. This dish combines the Italian cheese tradition with the simplicity of grilled vegetables and the originality of fruit, for a surprising result on even the most demanding palates. The contrast of temperatures and textures makes this dish particularly enjoyable on hot days.