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Savoury Strudel with Apple, Speck and Grana Padano DOP

Name: Savoury Strudel with Apple, Speck and Grana Padano DOP
Cuisine: Italian

Difficulty

Facile

Preparation

40 min.

Servings for

6 per.

This quick savoury strudel is the perfect solution when you want to bring something delicious to the table without spending hours cooking. Speck, apple, and Grana Padano DOP combine in a balanced and fragrant filling, where the sweetness of the fruit meets the savouriness of the more rustic ingredients. A simple yet effective savoury strudel recipe, ideal for a starter, aperitif, or informal dinner. It’s very easy to prepare, and the result will win everyone over on the first bite: crispy outside, soft and aromatic inside. Perfect served both warm and at room temperature!

Ingredients

1 roll of rectangular puff pastry
2 Golden Delicious apples
200g of Speck (smoked, cured ham)
100g of grated Grana Padano DOP
100g of ricotta cheese
Walnuts, to taste to taste
1 sprig of marjoram
1 egg
Poppy seeds, to taste
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), to taste

Preparation

STEP 1

To prepare the filling for your savoury strudel, start with the apples: peel them, remove the core, and cut them into cubes about 1cm in size. Transfer them to a large bowl, so you can easily mix all the ingredients later.

STEP 2

Add the Speck, cut into strips, the grated Grana Padano DOP, coarsely chopped walnuts, the ricotta, and the marjoram leaves to the apples. Season with a drizzle of EVOO, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Mix well until you get a homogenous and fragrant filling.

STEP 3

Unroll the puff pastry onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place the filling in the centre, forming a regular log shape. Leave a few centimetres free both at the top and bottom of the pastry sheet to facilitate sealing.

STEP 4

With a sharp knife, make diagonal incisions of about 3cm on the two long sides of the pastry, creating symmetrical strips. Begin to braid them over the filling, alternating a strip from the right with one from the left, to achieve an elegant “herringbone” effect.

STEP 5

Brush the surface with the egg yolk for a perfect golden colour, and finish with a handful of poppy seeds.

STEP 6

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 40 minutes, or until the strudel is puffed up and well-golden. Let it cool slightly and serve in slices: the puff pastry savoury strudel is ready to enjoy!

Tips and Suggestions

What type of pastry for the strudel?

For savoury strudel, you can use ready-made puff pastry, which is practical and quick to work with. Alternatively, you can prepare or buy the traditional strudel dough (a thin and elastic pastry), but puff pastry remains the more common choice in modern and savoury versions.

How to store savoury strudel?

Savoury strudel can be stored in the refrigerator, well covered or sealed in an airtight container, for 2–3 days. You can also freeze it (both cooked and raw) and reheat it in the oven when needed to keep it crisp.

Is strudel eaten hot or cold?

It can be enjoyed both hot and at room temperature. Hot, it is more fragrant and crisp; cold or warm, it is ideal for buffets, aperitifs, and picnics.

What is the country of origin of the strudel?

Apple strudel originated in Austria, particularly in the Viennese culinary tradition. From there, it spread throughout the Germanic world and the regions of Northern Italy, such as Trentino-Alto Adige, also developing savoury versions over time, like the one in this recipe!