If you’re looking for a tasty appetizer to amaze your guests, the crostini with zucchini cream and prawns are the perfect choice.
This delicious and scenic dish is a winning combination of sea and garden products: the tantalizing taste of prawns and the sweetness of zucchini. A truly unique mix! But it’s not just the taste that makes these crostini irresistible: their simplicity of preparation makes them ideal for any occasion, whether it’s an informal buffet or an elegant dinner.
To prepare these crostini, just blend the blanched zucchini until you get a smooth, silky cream with a touch of fresh parsley and pine nuts. Then, in a pan, just sauté the prawns with a drizzle of olive oil until they are tender and juicy. Once both preparations are ready, generously spread them on crunchy, toasted bread slices, finishing with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
The crostini with zucchini and prawns can be enriched with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper or a few Parmesan flakes, or decorated with some chives for an elegant presentation.
This recipe is great for surprising guests with an appetizer that combines simplicity, taste, and elegance. With just a few ingredients and with ease, you’ll bring an amazing dish to the table.
Don’t miss these other appetizing appetizers:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 212.52 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 8.26 (g) of which sugars 0.35 (g)
- Proteins 14.90 (g)
- Fat 14.58 (g) of which saturated 1.76 (g)of which unsaturated 2.60 (g)
- Fibers 1.84 (g)
- Sodium 499.16 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 1 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 Crostini with Zucchini Cream and Prawns
- 6 slices bread
- 4 zucchini
- 18 prawns
- 0.88 oz pine nuts
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1 clove garlic
- 3 pinches salt
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Preparation of Crostini with Zucchini Cream and Prawns
Wash and trim the zucchini; cut three into chunks and blanch them for 5 minutes in salted boiling water.
Slice the remaining zucchini into thin wedges, and slightly blanch them as well. You’ll use them as garnish.
Drain the zucchini and place them in the blender, adding part of the parsley, pine nuts, salt, and three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Blend until smooth.
In a pan, brown the garlic with 2 tablespoons of oil. Then, add the peeled prawns (remember to remove the intestine) and sauté for a few minutes.
Heat the grill and place the bread slices, toasting them on both sides.
Now assemble the crostini. Spread a few tablespoons of zucchini cream on each slice of bread. Then, add three prawns on each and a few zucchini slices for garnish. Complete with parsley and a drizzle of oil.
Suggestions
For an alternative presentation, you can garnish the crostini with fresh chive stalks or a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Alternatively, you can complete the dish with some Parmesan flakes.
You can also cut the bread slices in half for smaller crostini.
Storage of Crostini with Zucchini and Prawns
The crostini with zucchini and prawns can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. It is advisable to store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. When ready to serve, place them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes.
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FAQ
What types of bread can I use for the crostini?
You can choose a rustic type of bread or a baguette.
Can I replace the prawns with other types of seafood?
Yes. You can customize the recipe by replacing the prawns with shrimp, large prawns, clams, etc., to your liking.
Can I prepare the crostini in advance?
Of course. You can prepare the zucchini cream and prawns in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the crostini just before serving to ensure the bread remains crispy.
