Rustici leccesi

The rustici leccesi are a tasty typical appetizer from the cuisine of Salento. They are characterized by a crispy puff pastry and a flavorful filling of béchamel, tomato, and mozzarella. Here’s the recipe to prepare them:

Ingredients

• Puff pastry: 2 rolls
• Béchamel sauce: 250 ml
• Mozzarella: 150 g, diced
• Cherry tomatoes: 10, halved
• Grated Parmesan cheese: 50 g
• Eggs: 1 (for brushing the puff pastry)
• Salt and pepper: to taste

Preparation

1. Preparing the béchamel sauce: Start by preparing the béchamel sauce following your favorite recipe or by warming up a ready-made one. Season with a bit of salt and pepper.

2. Filling: In a bowl, gently mix the béchamel with the mozzarella cubes, the halved cherry tomatoes, and the parmesan. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.

3. Forming the rustici: Roll out a puff pastry sheet and, using a glass or a pastry cutter, cut out circles. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each puff pastry circle.

4. Assembly: Cover the filling with another circle of puff pastry and seal the edges well by pressing with your fingers or the tines of a fork to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.

5. Baking: Arrange the rustici on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Beat the egg and gently brush the surface of the rustici. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Serving: Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Curiosity

The rustici leccesi are a very popular dish in Salento and can be easily found in pastry shops and bars, often eaten as a snack or appetizer. The contrast between the crunchy shell and the melting heart makes them irresistible at every bite!

For an even closer version to the original, some recipes suggest adding some tomato puree or tomato paste to the filling to enrich the flavor.