Grilled Zucchini Roll with Cream Cheese, Ham and Arugula is an easy and tasty recipe, perfect served cold as a rich appetizer or a delicious main course for a summer family lunch or dinner with friends.
Quick and easy, it's made with grilled zucchini stuffed with slices of ham, a layer of cream cheese, chopped pistachios, and a few fresh arugula leaves. Rolled into a compact cylinder, it's then refrigerated for an hour. The result is a fragrant and colorful roll, perfect for a party buffet or a home-cooked appetizer.
Grilled Zucchini Roll Variations
You can customize the zucchini roll filling however you like, using ingredients you like or have on hand. For example, bresaola, mortadella, or speck are all excellent, or you can omit the cured meat for a vegetarian version. Instead of cream cheese, you can use robiola, goat cheese, ricotta, or gorgonzola, even in vegetarian or lactose-free versions . You can also replace the pistachios with chopped hazelnuts or flaked almonds, and the fresh arugula with spinach or lamb's lettuce. You can also add a few drops of Genoese pesto or olive pâté, or a handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
How to Make Grilled Zucchini Roll
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To prepare the zucchini roll, cut the vegetables into slices about 3-4 mm thick, then arrange them on a hot grill and cook them for about 4-5 minutes per side.
To prepare the zucchini roll, cut the vegetables into slices about 3-4 mm thick, then arrange them on a hot grill and cook them for about 4-5 minutes per side.
Once grilled, place them on a sheet of baking paper, overlapping them slightly: you will need to get a rectangular base.
Once grilled, place them on a sheet of baking paper, overlapping them slightly: you will need to get a rectangular base.
Stuff the zucchini base with the slices of ham.
Stuff the zucchini base with the slices of ham.
Add the cheese, spreading it evenly over the sliced meat.
Add the cheese, spreading it evenly over the sliced meat.
Sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
Sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
Finally, complete with fresh basil leaves.
Finally, complete with fresh basil leaves.
Starting from the short side, roll up the zucchini base, enclosing the filling inside, using the baking paper to help you.
Starting from the short side, roll up the zucchini base, enclosing the filling inside, using the baking paper to help you.
Seal the baking paper on the side and place the roll in the refrigerator for 1 hour. After this time, arrange it on a serving platter and garnish with a handful of chopped pistachios and a few arugula leaves.
Seal the baking paper on the side and place the roll in the refrigerator for 1 hour. After this time, arrange it on a serving platter and garnish with a handful of chopped pistachios and a few arugula leaves.
The zucchini roll is ready to be enjoyed!
The zucchini roll is ready to be enjoyed!
Storage Instructions
The zucchini roll can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly closed in an airtight container, for up to 2 days.
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