Savory Strudel with Treviso Radicchio and Montasio Cheese

The Savory Strudel with Treviso Radicchio and Montasio Cheese is a delicious dish that combines the bitter flavor of radicchio with the full taste of Montasio, a cheese typical of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of rectangular puff pastry
• 300 g of Treviso radicchio
• 200 g of Montasio DOP cheese (you can choose whether you prefer fresh or medium-aged)
• 1 small red onion
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Egg (for brushing)

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Clean and slice the Treviso radicchio, then set it aside.
3. Finely slice the red onion and let it soften in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add the radicchio, season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the radicchio wilts and loses some of its bitterness.
4. Roll out the puff pastry on a work surface and distribute the radicchio and onion mixture on the longer side of the pastry, leaving an edge of about 2 cm.
5. Cut the Montasio into flakes or cubes and spread it over the radicchio.
6. Roll the puff pastry on itself starting from the longer side, forming a strudel. Seal the edges well.
7. Transfer the strudel to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, seam-side down.
8. Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush the surface of the strudel to get an even browning during baking.
9. Bake the strudel for about 25-30 minutes or until it is golden and crispy.
10. Allow to cool for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

Fun Fact

Treviso radicchio is known for its distinctive and bitter flavor, which pairs well with the sweetness of cheeses and lends itself perfectly to cooking. In this strudel, it finds an interesting contrast with the rich and slightly salty taste of Montasio cheese. This dish combines two excellences of Northeastern Italy in a blend of flavors that is a true homage to the regional culinary tradition.