Palm & Vine
  • Wine
    • Rare Varieties
    • Wineries
    • Wine Lifestyle
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings
  • Travel
  • About Me
    • Press & Portfolio
    • Contact Me
  • Services
    • Palm & Vine Digital Resource Library
  • Free Digital Resource Library
Free Resources

Social Links

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
 

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Contact
Palm & Vine
Palm & Vine Palm & Vine Palm & Vine
  • Wine
    • Rare Varieties
    • Wineries
    • Wine Lifestyle
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings
  • Travel
  • About Me
    • Press & Portfolio
    • Contact Me
  • Services
    • Palm & Vine Digital Resource Library
  • Free Digital Resource Library
Crostini Appetizer
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings

Grilled Crostini With Ricotta, Sweet Peppers & Salsa Verde

  • 4 minute read
Total
9
Shares
0
0
9

Summer is my favorite season for entertaining. Longer days mean there is more time to gather with friends after a day spent under the sun. There is something so appealing about the ease of it all. Just put a few bottles of rosé, white wine or sparkling wine on ice. Then grab some meat and veggies to throw on the grill.  Appetizers should be a breeze to throw together, too. That’s why these grilled crostini with ricotta, mini sweet peppers, and salsa verde are the perfect appetizer for summer grilling season. These crostini are also an ideal wine pairing for all the rosé and sparkling wine you’ll be drinking this summer.

Crostini Appetizer

Grilled Crostini Appetizer Components

While you could also toast the crostini in the oven, I prefer to throw them on the grill. Not only are the grill marks aesthetically pleasing, but the added flavor from grilling the bread is delicious. Be sure not to place the bread directly over the fire or coals because it will burn quickly. If you don’t have a grill, then you can use a grill pan for the same effect. Whatever you do, skip the store-bought crostini. Take the minimal extra time to toast the bread yourself. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.

Salsa Verde

This salsa verde is bursting with flavor from loads of fresh herbs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can add a minced clove of garlic. Personally, I prefer to rub the bread with a clove of garlic when it’s fresh off the grill. This method adds just a touch of garlic flavor and is included in the recipe below. For a salsa verde with a kick, add a finely chopped jalapeño or serrano pepper. Salty components like chopped capers or anchovies make great additions, too. You’ll likely have left over salsa verde and perhaps ricotta. These can be repurposed together into a tasty omelet or pasta dish.

The recipe calls for sweet mini peppers because they are so mouthwateringly good when grilled. If you don’t have these on hand, grilled bell peppers will work just as well. You will need to cut them up more once grilled to fit nicely on the crostini.

Crostini Appetizer

Crostini Toppings

The unlimited number of crostini topping options are one of the best parts about making crostini appetizers. Grilled balsamic marinated portobello mushrooms, eggplant, or asparagus are other delicious options for these crostini. For fresher crostini, top with sliced heirloom or garden tomatoes.

A build your own crostini appetizer tray offers a fun way to serve these for a party. You can grill the bread and assorted vegetables ahead of time. Then, chop up each grilled veggie and serve them in separate bowls and guests can assemble their own crostini. In addition to ricotta and salsa verde, you can also serve olive tapenade, romesco sauce, and more.

This recipe for crostini appetizers is vegetarian and can be made vegan by foregoing the ricotta.

Crostini Appetizer

The Wine Pairing

These grilled crostini appetizers are a great pairing for tart rosés with crisp acidity, aromatic white wines, or traditional method sparkling wines. Rosés of Grenache, Barbera, or Nerello Mascalese are wonderful options. They each offer red fruit or tart red fruit notes like strawberry and pomegranate with refreshing acidity. These characteristics work well alongside the herb-packed salsa verde and grilled sweet mini peppers.

Aromatic white wines like Vermentino or Albariño will complement this dish nicely, too. A bottle of Cava or another traditional method sparkling wine will also be delicious here. The refreshing bubbles and acidity of a sparkling wine play well with the fresh flavors of these crostini toppings. While the toasted or bread-like complexities of the wine from the extended lees contact will beautifully complement the grilled bread flavors.

I hope you enjoy this recipe with friends, family, and an exceptional bottle of wine! If you make these grilled crostini, please let me know how it goes in the comments below. Cheers!

Crostini Appetizer
Print
Grilled Crostini With Ricotta, Sweet Peppers & Salsa Verde
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

These grilled crostini are a delicious appetizer that's perfect for easy entertaining. The herb-packed salsa verde is loaded with fresh flavor that totally complements the creamy ricotta and grilled sweet mini peppers. Best when paired with a crisp rosé or sparkling wine.

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Keyword: Crostini, Grill, herbs
Ingredients
Salsa Verde
  • 1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley, leaves finely chopped
  • 10-15 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
  • 10 – 15 fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped
  • 1 heaping tsp lemon zest
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (or more if needed to just cover all of the herbs)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
Crostini
  • 1 french baguette
  • 8 oz ricotta
  • 8-10 sweet mini peppers
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • olive oil
Instructions
  1. Prepare the salsa verde first so it has time for the flavors to develop.

  2. Finely chop all of your herbs. Zest 1-2 lemons. Add spices and the juice of 1 lemon. Stir and allow to rest.

  3. Light the grill.

  4. Prepare the crostini and mini peppers for grilling. Slice the baguette on a diagonal so you have more surface area to work with on each crostini. Slices should be about 3/4 in. thick. Brush both sides of each piece of bread generously with olive oil.

  5. Cut the stems off each of the sweet mini peppers and clean out the seeds and veins from the center. Brush each pepper with olive oil on all sides.

  6. Grill the bread slices and the bell peppers over medium to low heat. Do not place the crostini directly over the flame or else they will burn. Pay careful attention and turn as needed. The crostini will only take 1-2 minutes each side. For both the crostini and peppers, we're looking for grill marks and not char. If they become charred, they will taste bitter. So, stay by the grill, leave the grill uncovered and turn as needed.

  7. When you remove the crostini from the grill, rub each piece of bread with the peeled clove of garlic. Only rub the side of the bread that you will be topping. Thinly slice the peppers when they come off the grill.

  8. To assemble the crostini, slather ricotta on the garlic rubbed side of the bread, top with different colored sweet mini pepper slices, and drizzle the salsa verde on top.

Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 9

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Total
9
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 9
Related Topics
  • Appetizers
  • Red Wine Pairing
  • Rosé Wine Pairing
  • Sparkling Wine Pairing
  • Vegetable Recipes
  • White Wine Pairing
Previous Article
Teliani Valley Winery Tsolikouri
  • Rare Varieties

Tsolikouri is a Standout White Wine That’s Elevating Georgian Wine to Great Heights

View Post
Next Article
Liatiko, greek wine
  • Rare Varieties

Liatiko – A Greek Red Wine On The Rise

View Post

You May Also Like

La Vieille Ferme Rosé paired with chicken tortilla soup
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings

The Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Ever & Rosé Wine Pairing

Mexican street corn soup, white wine pairing, La Vieille Ferme Blanc
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings

Whip Up This Mexican Street Corn Soup for Something New

mushroom aromas in wine, truffle wine aromas, earthy wine aromas, pinot noir aromas, nebbiolo aromas
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings
  • Wine Lifestyle

How to Create Delectable Wine Pairings for Dishes with Umami Flavor

corn salad, sauvignon blanc, sauvignon blanc wine pairing, summer salad recipe, dutcher crossing sauvignon blanc
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings

Corn Salad That’s Exquisite with Sauvignon Blanc

Domaine Roche des Bancs, Pinot Noir, Auxerrois, Sparkling Wine, French Wines, Brionnais wines, affordable Burgundy wines
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings
  • Wine
  • Wineries

Discover the Forgotten Brionnais: High Value French Wines for Your Summer Soirées

autumnfritto misto
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings

Autumn Fritto Misto for a Delectable Spanish Cava Pairing

butternut squash crostini
View Post
  • 6 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings

Butternut Squash Crostini with Whipped Feta for an Easy Fall Appetizer

Orecchiette Pasta Wine Pairing
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Recipes & Wine Pairings

Orecchiette Pasta with Walnut Parsley Pesto, Asparagus & Spicy Sausage

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




about

About

Hi, I’m Nikki. Welcome to Palm & Vine – a wine blog for the adventurous at heart. Allow me to guide you into the world of wine, help you create unforgettable wine pairings, and inspire your wine travels to far off destinations. I can’t wait to savor, sip, and wander together.
Read More

Let’s Connect!

Free resources

Watch Wine Masters TV

wine masters TV, wine documentary, learn about wine, wine movies, gaja, mastroberardino, antinori, italian wine, french wine, spanish wine

Email Opt In

Subscribe & Get Access To My Exclusive Digital Wine Resource Library!
Marketing by
ActiveCampaign

Rare Varieties

  • savatiano, greek wine, greek white wine, Domaine Papagiannakos
    • Rare Varieties

    Savatiano – Resurgence in Quality Makes this Greek White Wine A Must-Try

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • Etna Bianco, Catarratto, Carricante, Sicilian wine, Italian wine, volcanic wines
    • Rare Varieties
    • Wine

    I’ve Never Met an Etna Bianco I Didn’t Like

      • Rare Varieties
      • Wine
    View Post
  • Etna Rosso, Sicilian wines, Sicilian red wine, Italian wines, volcanic wines
    • Rare Varieties
    • Wine

    Etna Rosso – A Sicilian Red Wine that Never Fails to Please

      • Rare Varieties
      • Wine
    View Post
  • Panzale, Cantina Berritta, Sardinia wine, white wine, Italian white wine
    • Rare Varieties
    • Wine

    Panzale – A Rare Sardinian Variety Saved from Near Extinction by Cantina Berritta

      • Rare Varieties
      • Wine
    View Post
  • brachetto d'acqui, italian dessert wine, best sweet wines, italian wines
    • Rare Varieties
    • Wine Lifestyle

    Brachetto d’Acqui: An Italian Wine to Savor with Desserts & Spicy Cuisine

      • Rare Varieties
      • Wine Lifestyle
    View Post

Instagram

Get ready for holiday hosting and understand what styles of Chardonnay are right for your festivities with my Complete Guide to Old World vs. New World wines!
#SoupSeason is in full swing here in the Sanna-Dickerson household and this is a new favorite of my soup aficionado husband…especially when paired with a fresh and fruity crisp rosé like this @lavieilleferme rosé of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. Quite literally 3 of my fave grapes!
@garyfarrellwinery is officially my FAVORITE winery in Healdsburg!
Honestly guys - don’t sleep on @patzhall 🍷✨🥂 hands down the best single-vineyard Pinot Noir in Sonoma (in my humble opinion) 🙏🏼🙏🏼 the Hyde Vineyard never disappoints!! And continued to impress this year 🤤🤤Chenoweth Vineyard was also absolutely dish, but you’re guaranteed the best quality from vineyard to bottle in every wine. Plus, they have delicious sparkling and rosé. 💯 have you been?
Here is an easy entertaining recipe + wine pairing for the hosting season:
Delight your guests this Thanksgiving with these off-the-beaten-path red wines!

Posts You’ll Love

  • aromas in wine, wine tasting, red wine aromas, primary aromas
    Aromas in Wine: 25 of the Most Common Wine Aromas Explained
  • Adelaida Vineyards & Winery, california wine
    Exclusive Look Inside Adelaida Vineyards & Winery
  • Bud Break in Burgundy
    Bud Break, Flowering & Fruit Set – Nature’s Gift to Wine Lovers
  • Cannonau
    Sardinian Cannonau is a Global Contender Ready to Exceed Expectations
  • Vernaccia di Oristano
    Vernaccia di Oristano – Sardinia’s Most Fascinating Wine
Palm & Vine Wine Blog

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
 

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Featured Categories

Veraison Grapes, rare varieties
Rare Varieties
59 Posts
View Posts
Crostini Appetizer
Recipes & Wine Pairings
53 Posts
View Posts
Castagnole Monferrato
Travel
25 Posts
View Posts
winemaking, wine country, wine region, vineyards
Wine
66 Posts
View Posts
indulge in the ultimate wine lifestyle, wine travel, wine tourism, how to open wine
Wine Lifestyle
40 Posts
View Posts
Adelaida Vineyards & Winery, california wine
Wineries
44 Posts
View Posts
Subscribe & Get Access To My Exclusive Digital Wine Resource Library!
Marketing by
ActiveCampaign

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Free resources

Pinterest Profile

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

This website uses cookies to function and to track how you interact with the website. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Read More Cookie settings Accept
Cookie Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser, as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
 

Loading Comments...