Description
Crisp spring pea & ricotta crostini bring Italian countryside charm to your appetizer spread. Creamy ricotta and sweet peas dance on crusty bread, offering a delightful bite that transports you to a sun-drenched terrace in Tuscany.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 baguette
- 1 cup fresh green peas
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Herbs and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Seasoning and Finishing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare oven at 400F (200C) and slice baguette diagonally into thin, uniform pieces.
- Arrange bread slices on baking sheet in single layer, ensuring even spacing.
- Crisp bread in oven for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden and surfaces become crunchy.
- Fill medium saucepan with salted water and bring to rolling boil.
- Add fresh peas and cook for 3-4 minutes until vibrant green and tender, then immediately drain.
- Transfer peas to mixing bowl and crush with fork, creating rustic texture.
- Incorporate salt, freshly ground pepper, lemon zest, and half of chopped mint into mashed peas.
- In separate bowl, whip ricotta until silky smooth, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Gently fold remaining mint into ricotta mixture for added freshness.
- Spread creamy ricotta generously across toasted baguette slices.
- Dollop mashed pea mixture atop ricotta layer, creating elegant visual contrast.
- Finish with delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving immediately.
Notes
- Select fresh, sweet peas for the most vibrant flavor and bright green color in your crostini.
- Quickly blanch peas to maintain their crisp texture and prevent overcooking, which can make them mushy and dull.
- Use whole milk ricotta for a creamier, richer spread that complements the light, fresh pea mixture.
- Experiment with herb variations like basil or chervil if mint isn’t your favorite, keeping the same delicate green essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg