Stuffed zucchini rolls are a delightful and relatively quick dish that combines the earthy flavor of zucchini with a savory and creamy stuffing. They make for a fantastic appetizer or side dish. Here’s a basic recipe to make stuffed zucchini rolls:
Ingredients:
For the Stuffed Zucchini Rolls:
- 2-3 medium zucchini (courgettes)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for drizzling
For the Tomato Sauce (optional):
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, sugar, and dried oregano to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Zucchini:
- Wash the zucchini and trim off the ends.
- Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, carefully slice the zucchini lengthwise into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped basil, and the egg.
- Season the filling mixture with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Zucchini Rolls:
- Lay out a zucchini strip and place a spoonful of the filling at one end.
- Carefully roll up the zucchini strip, enclosing the filling, and place it seam side down in a baking dish.
- Repeat this process with the remaining zucchini strips and filling until you’ve used them all.
- Drizzle with Olive Oil:
- Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the stuffed zucchini rolls in the baking dish.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the stuffed zucchini rolls for about 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the rolls are lightly golden on top.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce (Optional):
- While the zucchini rolls are baking, you can make a simple tomato sauce if desired. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat, add minced garlic, and cook for a minute until fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar (to balance the acidity), and dried oregano. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve:
- Once the zucchini rolls are done, remove them from the oven.
- Serve the stuffed zucchini rolls with a drizzle of tomato sauce, if using, and garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
These stuffed zucchini rolls are not only delicious but also make for an elegant presentation. They’re perfect for serving as an appetizer or a side dish, and the combination of the creamy filling and tender zucchini is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!