Il Cucinologo
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Potato and Zucchini Roses

17/11/2023

Potato and zucchini roses are an elegant and flavorful dish that can make a great impression as an appetizer or side dish. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

  • 2 medium-sized potatoes
  • 2 zucchinis
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh rosemary (or other aromatic herb of your choice)
  • Grated Parmesan (optional)
  • Sweet paprika (optional, for a touch of color)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (if fan-assisted, 160 °C).
  2. Wash and peel the potatoes, then use a mandoline to slice them very thinly.
  3. Wash the zucchinis and, without peeling them, slice them thinly as well with the mandoline.
  4. In a bowl, season the potato and zucchini slices with a drizzle of oil, salt, pepper, and the chopped aromatic herbs. If desired, you can also add a bit of sweet paprika and grated Parmesan for an extra touch.
  5. Take a baking tray and, if necessary, line it with parchment paper.
  6. Start forming the roses by alternating petal over petal (a potato slice followed by a zucchini slice and so on) until you achieve the desired rose size.
  7. Proceed with the rest of the slices, forming as many roses as possible.
  8. Arrange the roses on the baking tray, making sure to leave some space between each one.
  9. If desired, sprinkle an additional pinch of Parmesan over each rose.
  10. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  11. Remove the potato and zucchini roses from the oven and serve them hot.

Trivia

This dish is a perfect example of how Italian cuisine manages to transform simple, everyday ingredients into something truly special and visually striking, perfect for special occasions or simply to make a meal more joyful.