Salted Roll-ups with a Soft Heart

Salted roll-ups with a soft heart are small delights perfect for an aperitif or starter. These can be stuffed in various ways, but one of the most beloved variations includes ham and cheese. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 1 rectangular sheet of puff pastry
• 100 g of cooked ham
• 100 g of soft cheese (such as stracchino, robiola or mozzarella)
• 1 egg yolk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sesame or poppy seeds for decoration (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Unroll the puff pastry and cut it into strips about 2 cm wide.
3. On each strip of puff pastry, lay a slice of ham and spread the soft cheese over it. Make sure to leave a free edge to seal the roll-up.
4. Now, roll the puff pastry upon itself starting from the side with the filling, forming small “roll-ups.”
5. Beat the egg yolk and brush it over the roll-ups. This will help to achieve a nice golden color.
6. If you wish, sprinkle the roll-ups with sesame or poppy seeds to add crunch and flavor.
7. Place the roll-ups on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced apart from each other.
8. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
9. Remove from the oven and let them cool down a bit before serving.

Curiosities

The roll-ups can be customized with various types of fillings. For example, you can incorporate sautéed spinach with a bit of garlic for a greener version, or use salami for a more intense flavor. This recipe is open to many interpretations, so feel free to experiment with the ingredients you prefer or have at hand.