Summer Squash Rolls With Herbed Ricotta and Toasted Hazelnuts

These are sort of a departure from my usual style of throwing a bunch of things onto a plate, but I assure you that there is nothing frilly or fussy here. Thin slices of summer squash or zucchini are rolled up with cool, creamy ricotta and mint and basil, plus buttery toasted hazelnuts, for an Italian-inspired bite that guests can pop into their mouths.
This recipe was excerpted from ‘Big Heart Little Stove' by Erin French. Buy the full book on Amazon.
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What you’ll need
Mandoline
$29 $27 At Amazon
Sheet Pan
$28 At Amazon
Vegetable Peeler
$16 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 rolls
Ingredients
For the Shallot Dressing
Preparation
Make the Shallot Dressing
Step 1
In a small bowl, combine the shallots and vinegar. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes for the shallots to soften and the flavors to meld. The sauce will keep covered in the refrigerator for a few days.
Make the Summer Squash Rolls
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Step 3
Use a vegetable peeler or mandoline to slice the squash lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices. You want 8 slices total, ideally from the middle of the squash, so your strips will be about 6 inches long.
Step 4
Arrange the squash ribbons in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle each ribbon with just enough olive oil to coat. Season with salt and a few cracks of pepper and roast until tender, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
Step 5
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, chives, dill, lemon zest, a good pinch of salt, and a few cracks of pepper.
Step 6
Stack 1 basil leaf, 1 mint leaf, and 3 arugula leaves crosswise on one end of a squash ribbon. Top with a heaping tablespoon of the ricotta filling, then roll up the slice of squash to create a little bundle and place it seam side down on a platter. Repeat with the remaining squash, herbs, and filling.
Step 7
Drizzle the rolls with the vinaigrette and sprinkle the crushed hazelnuts over. Use a vegetable peeler to garnish the rolls with wide shavings of Parmesan. Serve immediately.