Piadina with Gratined Vegetables

Here is a recipe for piadina with gratinated vegetables, a fusion between the Romagna tradition and a vegetarian dish rich in flavors.

Ingredients

• 4 Romagna piadine
• 1 zucchini
• 1 small eggplant
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 200 g of mozzarella cheese or another string cheese that melts well
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dried oregano or aromatic herbs as you like
• Garlic powder or a clove of fresh garlic (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by washing and slicing the vegetables. Cut the zucchini and eggplant into thin slices, and cut the peppers into strips after cleaning and removing the seeds.
2. Grill the vegetables on a hot plate or in a non-stick pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. If you wish, you can add a bit of garlic powder or a clove of fresh garlic in its skin to flavor the vegetables while cooking.
3. Once the vegetables are grilled, season them lightly with salt and flavor with pepper and oregano or other aromatic herbs of your choice. Preheat the oven to grill mode at a temperature of about 200 °C.
4. Cut the mozzarella into slices and distribute it on the piadine, leaving a small border free.
5. Arrange the grilled vegetables uniformly on top.
6. Bake the piadine with vegetables for a few minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt and the vegetables to become slightly gratinated.
7. Serve immediately, perhaps accompanied by a fresh salad or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar cream.

Curiosity

The Romagna piadina is a flat, unleavened bread, traditionally cooked on a terracotta disc called “testo”. Today, the industrial version can easily be found in supermarkets, but the original recipe is worth trying at least once, perhaps on a vacation on the Romagna Riviera. The gratinated vegetables add a touch of lightness and color to this simple but delicious dish.

For an even more Italian option, you might replace the cheese with squacquerone, a typical fresh and spreadable cheese of the region. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a pinch of chili pepper for some spiciness. Enjoy your meal!