This Stracciatella Crostini combines creamy stracciatella cheese with tender cavolo nero, crispy pancetta, and hearty beans for a deliciously balanced bite. Perfect as a flavourful appetiser or light meal, it brings together rustic Italian ingredients with fresh, comforting textures.
8 slices of crusty bread (sourdough or ciabatta work well)
200g rolled pancetta sliced into rounds
1 x 400g can of cannellini beans drained and rinsed
1 small bunch cavolo nero (about 150g) thick stems removed leaves shredded
2 garlic cloves peeled
60 ml extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Zest of 1 lemon
1-2 tablespoon of Mazzetti Apple Cider Vinegar
200 g Stracciatella cheese
Chilli flakes
8 slices of crusty bread (sourdough or ciabatta work well)
0.44 lb rolled pancetta sliced into rounds
1 x 0.882 lb can of cannellini beans drained and rinsed
1 small bunch cavolo nero (about 0.331 lb) thick stems removed leaves shredded
2 garlic cloves peeled
2.1 fl oz extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Zest of 1 lemon
1-2 tablespoon of Mazzetti Apple Cider Vinegar
0.44 lb Stracciatella cheese
Chilli flakes
Step 1:
Place a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil and the pancetta slices in a single layer then cook until golden and crisp, turning as needed. Once crisp, remove and set aside on a paper towel, keeping the fat in the pan.
Step 2:
To the pan with the pancetta fat, add chilli flakes, drained cannellini beans and shredded cavolo nero. Stir lightly for 3–5 minutes so the greens wilt. Season with salt and pepper, then add the vinegar. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Step 3:
In a grill pan, lightly oil and grill the bread slices on both sides until golden and slightly charred. While still hot, rub each slice with a cut clove of garlic.
Step 4:
To assemble, spoon a generous amount of stracciatella onto each grilled bread slice. Top with the warm beans and wilted cavolo nero mixture, then finish with crispy pancetta and a sprinkle of lemon zest. Drizzle with a little olive oil just before serving.
