Flaky and full of asparagus, mint, and feta, these asparagus cigars make a delicious spring appetizer. They have the wonderful earthy taste of bright green asparagus along with briny feta cheese and flaky phyllo pastry. A drizzle of honey takes them over the top, pairing beautifully with the salty cheese.
To make the asparagus cigars, you start by layering sheets of phyllo and butter before rolling them up with asparagus, feta, and mint. Then, they get sprinkled with black sesame seeds before being baked in the oven until they are crisp and golden. Then, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of mint leaves will be all you will need to make this dish table ready.
What are Asparagus Cigars?
Asparagus cigars are phyllo pastries that are assembled into cigar shapes. Each one includes an asparagus spear along with crumbled feta cheese and chopped mint leaves, which are contrasting in flavors. The final product is drizzled with honey for a sweet contrast to the briny cheese, refreshing mint leaves, and grassy tasting asparagus.
Pro Tips
- Thaw the phyllo in the fridge before you use it in this recipe.
- To remove the woody ends from the asparagus, you can either slice them off or you can break them off with your fingers.
- Thoroughly brush the phyllo pastry with the butter which will help it become crispy and golden in the oven.
- If you don’t enjoy mint, you could replace it with chopped basil or parsley instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Other Seeds for Garnish?
Yes, while black sesame seeds look attractive, they aren’t always easy to find. Instead, you could use white sesame seeds or poppy seeds as a replacement to garnish the asparagus cigars. Alternatively, if someone in your home has a seed allergy, you could sprinkle dried herbs on top.
Can I Make Asparagus Cigars Dairy-Free?
Yes, simply replace the feta cheese and butter with dairy-free alternatives.
How to Serve Asparagus Cigars?
The asparagus cigars can simply be served on a platter alongside your favorite cocktails for whenever you are hosting a party. However, if you would like to serve them as part of a meal for a light lunch, you could also plate them up with a salad or some steamed vegetables.
How to Store Asparagus Cigars
If you have any asparagus cigars left over, you can store them in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. They can then be warmed up in an air fryer or oven to re-crisp. It isn’t recommended to store them in the freezer as the asparagus may become soggy.
Ingredients
How to Make Asparagus Cigars
Brush a sheet of phyllo dough with butter, place a sheet of phyllo on top, and brush it with butter again.
Brush a sheet of phyllo dough with butter, place a sheet of phyllo on top, and brush it with butter again.
Cut it in half widthwise.
Cut it in half widthwise.
Place feta and mint along the bottom half of the phyllo and top it with an asparagus spear.
Place feta and mint along the bottom half of the phyllo and top it with an asparagus spear.
Fold the sides of the phyllo over the filling and roll it up into a cigar shape.
Fold the sides of the phyllo over the filling and roll it up into a cigar shape.
Brush the cigars with butter and sprinkle them with the sesame seeds. Bake them in a 360 F (180 C) oven for 20 minutes.
Brush the cigars with butter and sprinkle them with the sesame seeds. Bake them in a 360 F (180 C) oven for 20 minutes.
Place them on a platter and drizzle them with honey.
Place them on a platter and drizzle them with honey.
Serve garnished with the mint.
Serve garnished with the mint.
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