Potato and Ham Roses

Potato and ham roses are a fancy and visually impressive appetizer. Here is the recipe to prepare this elegant and delicious dish.

Ingredients

• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 8 slices of raw ham
• 100 g of grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aromatic herbs to taste (rosemary, thyme, etc.)
• Butter for greasing

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Wash and peel the potatoes, then slice them with a mandoline or a very sharp knife into thin slices.
3. Take some muffin tins and lightly grease them with butter.
4. Arrange the slices of ham and potatoes alternately, slightly overlapping to form a long strip. Make sure that the ham is interspersed between the potato slices for a richer flavor.
5. Sprinkle each strip with grated cheese, salt, pepper and chopped aromatic herbs.
6. Starting from one end, gently roll the strip upon itself to form a rose shape.
7. Place each rose in the prepared muffin tin and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil.
8. Bake the potato and ham roses for about 20-25 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
9. Remove the roses from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Potato and ham roses can be served either as an appetizer or as a tasty side dish. The crispiness of the potatoes, the flavorful ham, and the melted cheese create a very pleasant combination of flavors and textures.

Curiosity

This dish looks like a rose, and its presentation can turn even the simplest of aperitifs into a special moment. For variation, you can also add some vegetables to the layers, such as zucchini or carrots, for an extra touch of color and flavor.