Vegetarian Hosomaki

I can provide you with a basic recipe for Italian-style vegetarian hosomaki, adding a touch of Mediterranean flavor. Hosomaki are thin sushi rolls wrapped in nori seaweed with a single filling. The traditional Japanese version often includes raw fish or vegetables, but we can adapt it to make it completely vegetarian and a bit Italian.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sushi rice
• 1 and a quarter cups of water
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 sheets of nori seaweed
• 1 avocado
• 1 cucumber
• 1 red bell pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh basil or arugula leaves (to add an Italian touch)
• Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by washing the sushi rice under cold running water until the water becomes clear, to remove excess starch. Drain well.
2. Put the washed rice and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 18 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let the rice rest covered for another 15 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Warm briefly in the microwave or on a stove until the sugar and salt dissolve.
4. Transfer the rice to a sushi bowl or a wide flat bowl. Pour the vinegar mixture over the rice, stirring gently with cutting movements to avoid crushing the grains. Let the rice cool to room temperature.
5. Cut the avocado, cucumber, and red bell pepper into thin strips.
6. Place a sheet of nori on a sushi mat or a piece of clear plastic wrap. Spread about a quarter of the cooled rice on a third of the nori sheet, leaving about a 1 cm free margin at the top.
7. Center over the rice, arrange strips of avocado, cucumber, bell pepper, and the leaves of basil or arugula.
8. Begin rolling the nori around the filling, using the mat or the film to maintain a tight shape. Seal the edge of the nori with a little water.
9. With a sharp, slightly damp knife, cut the roll into six equal parts.
10. If desired, you can sprinkle your hosomaki with sesame seeds.

Curiosity

Hosomaki are usually one of the beginner-friendly approaches to sushi because of their simplicity and small size, making them easy to eat in one bite. This version adds flavors of avocado that blend well with the acidity of the rice vinegar, while bell peppers and cucumbers add crunch. The final touch, with basil or arugula, infuses a distinct Italian aroma that can delight the palate in an East-West culinary fusion.