Vegetable and Walnut Timbale

17/11/2023

I can provide you with the recipe for the vegetable and walnut timbale. This vegetarian dish is flavorful and presents a beautiful contrast in textures thanks to the crunchy walnuts. It’s a versatile dish that can be adapted based on the seasonal vegetables available.

Ingredients

200 g of rice
1 large eggplant
1 zucchini
1 red pepper
2 carrots
100 g of shelled walnuts
100 g of grated cheese (such as Parmesan or pecorino)
2 eggs
Extra virgin olive oil as needed
Salt as needed
Pepper as needed
Butter for greasing the molds

Preparation

Begin by cooking the rice in plenty of salted water, following the cooking time indicated on the package to obtain al dente rice. Once cooked, drain it and set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, cut the eggplant, zucchini, and pepper into small cubes and the carrots into thin slices. Sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salting and peppering to taste. Let the vegetables soften and take on a bit of color.
In a large bowl, coarsely chop the walnuts and add them to the cooled rice, then add the grated cheese and eggs. Mix well to combine the ingredients.
Incorporate the sautéed vegetables into the rice and walnut mixture, mixing gently.
Prepare individual molds or a large mold (like a bundt pan), greasing them with butter and preheat the oven to 180 °C.
Fill the molds with the mixture, pressing lightly to compact it.
Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, until the timbale is golden brown on top.
Let it rest for a few minutes before unmolding the timbales onto serving plates.

The vegetable and walnut timbale can be served either hot or at room temperature, and it is excellent accompanied by a light tomato sauce or a soft cheese cream. It’s a complete dish and can be considered a main course or a single dish, depending on the portions and combinations.

Curiosity

The term “timbale” comes from the French “timbale,” which originally referred to a cylindrical instrument used for cooking or molding food. In Italy, the timbale has evolved into an elegant dish, typically composed of pasta or rice and enriched with various types of sauces and fillings.