Stuffed Mushroom Heads

I can provide you with an Italian recipe to prepare delicious stuffed mushroom heads. This appetizer has the advantage of being easily adaptable to different tastes by simply changing the stuffing.

Ingredients

• 12 large mushroom heads
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Chopped parsley to taste
• 50 g of pancetta or diced cooked ham (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 50 g of breadcrumbs or grated bread
• 30 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for greasing the pan

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and gently clean the caps with a damp cloth.
3. Finely chop the mushroom stems and set aside.
4. In a pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and sauté the garlic until it turns golden. Then remove it.
5. Add the pancetta or cooked ham cubes to the pan and let them brown for a few minutes. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can skip this step.
6. Add the chopped mushroom stems to the pan and cook for a few minutes until they have softened.
7. Stir in the breadcrumbs, mixing well to absorb the flavors.
8. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool down.
9. Add the chopped parsley, Parmesan, salt, and pepper to the mixture and mix until you have a homogeneous filling.
10. Lightly grease a baking dish with some oil.
11. Stuff each mushroom head with the filling, pressing gently to adhere.
12. Place the stuffed mushrooms in the dish and drizzle with a little oil.
13. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the mushrooms are golden.

Serve the stuffed mushroom heads hot as an appetizer or side dish.

Curiosity

Mushrooms are an excellent choice for stuffing thanks to their firm texture and delicate flavor, which pairs well with various ingredients. In Italy, it is common to use Parmesan to add a rich flavor and a bit of crunchiness after baking.