Vegetarian Fillo Pastry Rolls: A Flavorful Appetizer Recipe
Category: Appetizers
Servings: 12
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Asparagus | 100g |
| Baby Zucchini | 100g |
| Snow Peas | 80g |
| Carrots | 60g |
| Stracciatella (Italian cheese) | 250g |
| Cherry Tomatoes | 60g |
| Beetroot Sprouts | To taste |
| Shallot | 1 |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | To taste |
| Fine Salt | To taste |
| Black Pepper | To taste |
| Fillo Pastry Sheets | 358g |
| Sunflower Oil (or other oil) | To taste |
Instructions
These crispy, flavorful vegetarian fillo rolls are the perfect appetizer for any occasion. With a combination of fresh vegetables, creamy stracciatella cheese, and delicate fillo pastry, these rolls are both satisfying and refreshing. Let’s walk through the process step by step:
Step 1: Preparing the Vegetables
To begin, prepare the vegetables that will fill the rolls. Start with the carrots: thoroughly wash them, trim off both ends, and peel the skin using a vegetable peeler. Once peeled, cut the carrots into very thin slices. Take two slices, place them on top of each other, and cut them into fine julienne strips.
Next, wash the snow peas (taccole) and slice them into small pieces. Then, clean the asparagus by cutting off the tough, woody ends and peeling the stems to remove the fibrous outer layer. Once peeled, cut the asparagus into small pieces, similar in size to the other vegetables.
Wash the cherry tomatoes, slice them in half, and then cut each half into thin slices.
Wash the baby zucchini, trim the ends, and slice them lengthwise into thin sticks. Next, chop the zucchini sticks into small cubes.
Finally, shallot: peel it and finely chop it.
Step 2: Cooking the Vegetables
Now that the vegetables are prepped, heat a small amount of extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and sauté it for a few minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. Add the sliced zucchini, carrot strips, snow peas, and asparagus. Stir and sauté the mixture for a few minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften while still maintaining their crispness. You want them tender but not mushy. Season the vegetables with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 3: Assembling the Rolls
Once the vegetables are ready, it’s time to assemble the rolls. Start by laying out one sheet of fillo pastry on a flat surface. To make the rolls, cut the pastry sheet into 3 equal parts. Spoon a generous amount of the sautéed vegetable mixture onto the bottom edge of each section of fillo pastry. Add a few slices of the fresh tomato and a dollop of stracciatella cheese for a creamy, rich touch.
Step 4: Rolling the Pastry
Now, fold the sides of the pastry over the filling, creating an envelope-like shape. Carefully roll up the pastry from the bottom, ensuring the filling stays tightly packed inside. Once you reach the end, lightly brush the edge of the pastry with a bit of water to seal the roll.
Step 5: Cooking the Rolls
In a deep frying pan, heat a generous amount of sunflower oil (or your preferred cooking oil) over medium heat. Carefully place the prepared rolls into the hot oil, frying them until they are golden and crisp on all sides. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Make sure to turn the rolls occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.
Step 6: Serving
Once the rolls are perfectly golden and crispy, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve these delicious, hot rolls while they’re still crisp and warm.
Tips for Success:
- Fillo pastry: Handle fillo sheets gently as they are thin and can tear easily. Keep unused sheets covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.
- Frying: For the crispiest results, ensure the oil is hot enough before frying the rolls. If the oil is too cold, the rolls will absorb excess oil, making them greasy.
- Vegetables: Feel free to adjust the vegetable quantities based on your preferences. You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra flavor.
These Vegetarian Fillo Pastry Rolls are the perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and flavorful, making them a delightful appetizer that’s sure to be a hit at your next gathering. The combination of tender vegetables and the richness of stracciatella cheese wrapped in light, flaky fillo pastry offers a delicious and visually appealing dish. Whether served as a starter at a dinner party or as part of a festive appetizer platter, these rolls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
