Asparagus Pasticcio

The asparagus pie is a refined and tasty dish that can be prepared as an appetizer or as a light main course. Here is the recipe with a small Italian twist to make the dish even more delicious:

Ingredients

• 500g fresh asparagus
• 1 roll of puff pastry
• 200g high-quality Italian cooked ham (alternative to classic bacon)
• 200ml cooking cream
• 3 large eggs
• 100g grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste
• Butter for greasing the pan

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Clean the asparagus by removing the tougher end of the stem and blanch them in salted water for about 5 minutes. They should remain al dente. Drain and cut them into pieces of about 3-4 cm.
3. Roll out the puff pastry in a previously buttered pan or lined with parchment paper and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
4. Arrange the asparagus pieces and cooked ham on top of the puff pastry.
5. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream, add the Parmesan, a grating of nutmeg, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the asparagus and ham.
6. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the surface of the pie is golden and the puff pastry is cooked.
7. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Trivia

The asparagus pie with puff pastry is a reinterpretation of the classic quiche, a specialty of French cuisine. The addition of Italian cooked ham instead of bacon provides a sweeter and less smoky note, which pairs well with the delicacy of the asparagus.

You can serve this dish with a fresh green salad or, during a buffet, cut it into squares and serve it as finger food. Enjoy your Italian-style asparagus pie!