Stuffed Zucchini Roll

17/11/2023

The stuffed zucchini roll is a delicious and relatively simple dish that can make a great impression as an appetizer or as a light main course. Here is the Italian recipe for this dish.

Ingredients

4-5 large zucchinis
250 g of ricotta
100 g of cooked ham slices
100 g of fontina cheese or another soft cheese in slices
Salt and pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh basil (optional)
Grated Parmesan cheese for gratin (optional)

Preparation

Start by washing the zucchinis, then slice them lengthwise with a vegetable peeler or a mandoline to obtain thin slices. It is important that they are thin enough to be easily rolled up.
Heat a grill pan or a non-stick pan and grill the zucchini slices on both sides until they show nice grill marks. Then let them cool down.
In a bowl, mix the ricotta with a pinch of salt, pepper, and if you like, some finely chopped basil.
On the cooled zucchini slices, spread some ricotta mixture, then add a slice of cooked ham and a slice of cheese.
Gently roll the zucchinis starting from the shorter end to form a roll.
Take an oven dish, grease the bottom with a drizzle of oil, and place the stuffed zucchini rolls next to each other.
If desired, sprinkle the rolls with grated Parmesan cheese to create a golden crust.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (356 °F) for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted well and the surface is gratinated.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Please note: If you want a vegetarian version, you can eliminate the cooked ham and replace it with pan-sautéed spinach or other grilled vegetables such as eggplant or peppers. And if you’re looking for an extra flavor, you can add chopped aromatic herbs to the ricotta.

Curiosity

The stuffed zucchini roll is a versatile preparation that lends itself to numerous variations: the ricotta can be enriched with aromatic herbs or replaced with other creamy cheeses, and the filling can vary according to the season and creativity!