Rustic Polenta Crostini

Rustic polenta crostini are a great way to use leftover polenta, turning it into a tasty appetizer or an accompaniment for cold cuts and cheeses. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• Leftover polenta (or fresh, if you prefer to make it right away)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garlic powder or fresh (optional)
• Freshly chopped rosemary or other herbs to taste (optional)
• Grated cheese (Parmesan, Pecorino, or another aged cheese to taste), optional

Preparation

1. If you are using leftover polenta that has cooled down, cut it into slices about 1 cm thick.
2. Heat a non-stick pan (or grill) and lightly grease it with olive oil.
3. Place the polenta slices in the pan and cook them until they are golden and crispy on both sides. You can also bake the polenta slices in the oven, placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzling them with a little oil, flipping them halfway through to evenly brown.
4. While the polenta is cooking, you can season it with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs to your taste.
5. If desired, when the crostini are almost ready, sprinkle them with a bit of grated cheese and let it melt slightly.
6. Serve the crostini hot, possibly accompanied by a platter of cold cuts, cheeses, or with a dipping sauce.

Curiosity

In the kitchen, nothing is wasted; this is a perfect example of how a leftover can become a new, appetizing dish. Polenta, in particular, has the ability to be extremely versatile, transforming from a soft and velvety side dish to a crunchy base for appetizers and snacks.