Pesto Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Pesto puff pastry pinwheels are easy and quick appetizers to prepare, perfect for an aperitif or a buffet. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of rectangular puff pastry
• Genoese pesto to taste (you can use a jar of ready-made pesto or, if you prefer, prepare it fresh with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt)
• 1 egg yolk (for brushing, optional)
• grated Parmesan (optional, for garnish)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Roll out the puff pastry on a work surface keeping the parchment paper underneath.
3. Spread the pesto evenly over the surface of the pastry, leaving a small border free to facilitate closing. Make sure not to overdo it with the pesto to prevent it from leaking during baking.
4. Roll the puff pastry into a cylinder, starting from the long side, and then lightly press the edges to seal the roll.
5. With a sharp knife, cut the cylinder into slices about 2 cm thick.
6. Arrange the pinwheels on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, keeping some space between them.
7. (Optional) Brush the surface of the pinwheels with the beaten egg yolk to achieve a more golden color during baking.
8. Sprinkle each pinwheel with a pinch of grated Parmesan to add crunch and flavor.
9. Bake the pinwheels in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crispy.
10. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Trivia

Pesto, typical of Liguria, is famous all over the world and its recipe has been “imported” into various dishes outside of pasta. The versatility of pesto makes it a delicious addition to many baked recipes, like these puff pastry pinwheels, which combine Italian tradition with culinary innovation.