If you are looking for original ideas to prepare appetizers for a cocktail party, the bruschetta with smoked salmon and marinated zucchini are a very simple and impressive solution, no cooking needed and very quick to prepare. They are also excellent to serve as an appetizer to include in a fish menu, and the bruschetta with smoked salmon and zucchini can be the highlight of a dinner based on crostini and bruschetta, as compared to other alternatives, they are also quite hearty. Preparing them requires only a few simple steps: the zucchini, cut into very thin slices, are seasoned with a marinade made of oil, vinegar (or lemon), and aromatic herbs. After an hour of marinating, you just have to assemble the bruschetta, adding robiola or another spreadable cheese that can slightly tone down the acidity of the zucchini and the strong flavor of the salmon. The final result will surprise your guests with its freshness and refinement.
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 1 Hour
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Toaster
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 323.04 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 27.89 (g) of which sugars 2.74 (g)
- Proteins 18.31 (g)
- Fat 15.57 (g) of which saturated 0.63 (g)of which unsaturated 1.85 (g)
- Fibers 2.22 (g)
- Sodium 749.73 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 6 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for 4 bruschetta with marinated zucchini and smoked salmon
- 1.5 cups zucchini
- 1/3 clove garlic
- 1 bunch parsley
- A few leaves mint
- A few leaves basil
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 pinch salt
- to taste pepper
- 4 slices bread (for me gluten-free)
- 3 oz smoked salmon (sliced)
- 5 oz robiola cheese
- A few stems chives
Tools
- 1 Peeler
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Toaster
- 1 Knife
How to Prepare Bruschetta with Smoked Salmon and Marinated Zucchini
To prepare the bruschetta with smoked salmon and marinated zucchini, start with the zucchini, which should rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to absorb the flavors well. Slice them very thinly with a peeler (1), then prepare a dressing with oil, vinegar (or lemon juice), salt, pepper, garlic, and finely chopped aromatic herbs (2) and use it to season the zucchini (3). If you want to read the more detailed procedure you can find it here. Place them in a bowl and let them rest in the refrigerator for about an hour
Then prepare the bruschetta: toast the bread in a toaster, or in a non-stick pan (or the oven). If the slices are very large you can cut them in half (4). Spread them with a generous layer of robiola (5).
Finely chop the chives and set them aside. Distribute the marinated zucchini on the bruschetta, after draining them well from excess oil (6). Top with the slices of smoked salmon and chopped chives (7).
Serve the bruschetta with smoked salmon and zucchini immediately, as an appetizer or as a snack to accompany the cocktail.
Storage
The marinated zucchini can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, while the assembled bruschetta should be consumed immediately.
Tips and Variations
If you love raw fish, you can replace the smoked salmon with raw salmon carpaccio, after ensuring it has been properly frozen.
FAQ
What can I use instead of robiola?
Any spreadable cheese will do – Philadelphia, ricotta, goat cheese – or a bit of burrata or even Greek yogurt.
How can I replace the marinated zucchini?
If you do not like raw marinated zucchini, you can replace them with grilled zucchini in green sauce or zucchini in vinegar.
