Il Cucinologo
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Savory Strudel with Greens, Ricotta, and Vegetables

17/11/2023

I can suggest a nice recipe for Savory Strudel with greens, ricotta, and vegetables, inspired by Italian flavors. To make it more local, you might consider using greens like Swiss chard or spinach, and mixing it with nice sheep’s ricotta for a bolder flavor. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 1 roll of rectangular puff pastry
  • 250 g sheep’s ricotta (you can also use cow’s milk ricotta if you prefer)
  • 200 g fresh greens (Swiss chard or spinach)
  • 1 medium zucchini
  • 1 small carrot
  • 1/2 onion
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste
  • 1 egg (for brushing)
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

  1. Start by thoroughly washing the greens. Then blanch them in lightly salted water for a few minutes. Once cooked, squeeze them well and roughly chop them.

  2. Clean and cut the zucchini and carrot into small cubes. Finely slice the half onion.

  3. In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent. Add the cubed vegetables and cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat. The vegetables should soften but not fall apart. Add the chopped greens, mix well, and cook for another couple of minutes. Adjust with salt and pepper and add a pinch of nutmeg. Let the mixture cool.

  4. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the cooled vegetable mixture.

  5. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F).

  6. Roll out the puff pastry on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread the ricotta and vegetable filling along the center of the pastry, leaving a free border on the sides.

  7. Fold the sides of the puff pastry toward the center to close the strudel. Brush the surface with the beaten egg to achieve a nice golden color at the end of cooking.

  8. Bake the strudel for about 30 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden.

  9. Serve hot or at room temperature.

The savory strudel is a tasty variation of the classic sweet strudel, and is perfect both as a main dish for a light lunch and as an appetizer in a buffet. The crispy puff pastry on the outside and the soft filling on the inside make it a dish that wins you over at the first bite. Enjoy your meal!