Sfoglie with Agretti and Nduja
Category: Appetizers
Serves: 30 pieces
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Puff Pastry | 230g |
| Agretti (Barba di Frate) | 250g |
| Nduja | 30g |
| Smoked Scamorza Cheese | 50g |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | To taste |
| Fine Salt | To taste |
| Black Pepper | To taste |
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the agretti. First, cut off the tough root ends using a knife, leaving you with approximately 230g of usable agretti.
- To preserve their vibrant green color, blanch the agretti by placing them in boiling water for just a few seconds. Once they soften slightly, quickly transfer them into a bowl filled with ice water. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain the freshness of the greens.
- While the agretti are cooling, crush a garlic clove (without peeling it) using the side of a knife.
- Heat some extra virgin olive oil in a pan and add the crushed garlic. Sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant, and then add the cooled agretti to the pan. Stir them well on medium-high heat for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Once the agretti are cooked and nicely seasoned, set them aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, cut the smoked scamorza cheese into small cubes, roughly the size of a few centimeters per side. Set the cheese aside as well.
- Now it’s time to prepare the puff pastry. Start by cutting it into strips and then into 5×5 cm squares. You should end up with 30 squares.
- Place the puff pastry squares on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Gently press the center of each square with your fingertips to create a small indent in the middle.
- Spoon a small portion of the cooked agretti into the center of each puff pastry square. Add a couple of cubes of smoked scamorza cheese on top of the agretti.
- Place the tray in a preheated static oven at 200°C (390°F) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and puffed up.
- Once out of the oven, use a spoon to add a small amount of nduja onto each puff pastry square. The nduja adds a creamy, spicy kick that perfectly complements the flavors of the agretti and scamorza.
- Serve your Sfoglie with Agretti and Nduja hot, or let them cool and enjoy them as a delicious appetizer at any time.
Enjoy these savory puff pastry bites as a perfect appetizer to wow your guests! Whether served warm or at room temperature, they bring together the earthy flavor of agretti with the richness of nduja and smoky cheese. They are sure to be a hit at your next gathering or even as a tasty snack.
