Best Zucchini Ricotta Salata Bruschetta Recipes

SUMMER PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, RICOTTA AND BASIL

Steps:

• Put a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons olive oil until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until rather soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, basil and a little salt into a rough paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Salt the pasta water well and put in the pasta, stirring. Boil per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
• Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check seasoning and adjust. Cook for 1 minute more. Mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir to incorporate. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.

PASTA WITH SEARED ZUCCHINI AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook farro pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
• Meanwhile, cut zucchini into 1 1/2-inch lengths.
• In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and let heat for 30 seconds. Add zucchini in one layer and cook without touching or moving for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme, flip the zucchini and cook 3 more minutes while stirring occasionally.
• Add tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, or until tomatoes start to break down. Stir in the al dente pasta, lemon zest and crumbled cheese. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and serve garnished with more fresh thyme, ricotta salata and lemon wedges.

TRAILER PARK BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Prep the potatoes by rinsing off thoroughly, then patting dry.
• Lightly coat the potatoes with the oil, then space evenly on a cookie sheet and par-bake until fork-tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. (Leave the oven on.)
• Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise and, using a tablespoon, scoop out a "bowl" in each half. Lightly coat the potato boats with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return the potatoes to the oven and bake until golden brown and slightly crispy, 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly before handling.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet on the stovetop, fry the Chorizo Sausage. Drain on a paper towel and set aside.
• Fill the potato boats with about 1 tablespoon of Pimiento Cheese each followed by 1 tablespoon chorizo each. Top with the fried onions and Cherry Bomb Sauce, then garnish with the jalapeños.
• Drain the chiles and remove the stems (reserve the chile water). Add the chiles and vinegar to a blender and purée. If too thick, continue to blend, adding the reserved chile water a little at a time. Mix the purée with the pork, garlic, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, oregano, black pepper, cumin, garlic, salt, allspice, coriander, thyme and marjoram.
• Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, pimientos, Cheddar, mayonnaise, bacon, cayenne, granulated garlic, granulated onion and jalapeño in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. (Be sure to start on low speed at first, gradually increasing speed until the mixture is fluffy and the Cheddar is broken down and completely incorporated.)
• Add the cherries, ginger ale, cherry preserves, chipotles in adobo, ketchup and vinegar to a small saucepan on high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to simmer until the skins on the cherries are broken down, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a blender. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely puréed. Allow to cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator.

SHALLOT-BRESAOLA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Thinly slice a baguette; arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 425 degrees F until lightly golden, about 7 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Toss 1 thinly sliced shallot, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary and a pinch of salt; set aside 10 minutes. Spread softened butter on the toast rounds. Top with sliced bresaola (cured beef) and the marinated shallot. Drizzle with the marinade.

CREAMY ZUCCHINI AND RICOTTA SPREAD

Steps:

• In a medium nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add zucchini, garlic, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is tender and golden brown in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool to room temperature (or refrigerate, up to overnight; bring to room temperature before continuing). Add ricotta, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

TOMATO AND RICOTTA SALATA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a small skillet cook shallots in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Stir in tomato and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, 30 seconds, or until just heated through. In a bowl toss together tomato mixture with cheese, chives, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste and mound about 1 tablespoon on oiled side of each toast.
• To make toasts:
• Prepare grill or preheat broiler.
• With a serrated knife cut bread crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Grill slices on a rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp outside but still soft inside. Alternatively, slices may be broiled in batches under a broiler about 4 inches from heat 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until golden. Rub toasts with garlic on one side and lightly brush same side with oil. Toasts may be made 1 week ahead and kept in an airtight container. Makes about 45 toasts.

ZUCCHINI BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Shred zucchini on the large holes of a box grater. (You should have about 4 cups.) Toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a colander set over a bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture with your hands.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shallot; cook 1 minute. Add zucchini; cook until tender and golden, 5 minutes. Stir in red-pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper. Serve atop baguette slices, drizzled with olive oil.

ZUCCHINI CROSTINI WITH RICOTTA AND MINT

Steps:

• Shred 1 pound zucchini, and toss it with 1 cup ricotta, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of a lemon, salt and pepper.
• Serve on toasted crostini, bruschetta or any crusty bread.
• Use mint for garnish.

ZUCCHINI RICOTTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cut zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-in. slices. Place in a basket over 1 in. of boiling water. Cover and steam until just tender, 5-6 minutes. Drain; pat dry. , In a large bowl, combine ricotta, egg substitute, 3 tablespoons bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons Parmesan, parsley, oregano, basil and pepper; set aside. , Spread a third of the spaghetti sauce in a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons bread crumbs. Cover with half of the zucchini, ricotta mixture and mozzarella. Repeat layers of sauce, zucchini, ricotta mixture and mozzarella. Cover with remaining sauce., Combine remaining crumbs and Parmesan; sprinkle over top. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover; bake until golden brown, 15 minutes longer. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.