Ricotta and Pear Crostini with Salty Pumpkin Seed Pistachio Crunch
Gorgeous ricotta and pear crostini with savory prosciutto, fresh arugula and a salty pumpkin seed pistachio crunch mixture. This easy appetizer is the perfect mix of sweet, savory, creamy and crunchy and is guaranteed to impress guests! Top with honey and a sprinkle of sea salt for the ultimate flavor combo.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword pear and ricotta crostini, ricotta and pear crostini, ricotta pear crostini
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 22servings
Calories 77cal
Author Monique Volz of AmbitiousKitchen.com
Ingredients
1french baguette, cut diagonally into 1/2 inch slices
Olive oil, for drizzling
8ounceswhole milk ricotta
½lemon, juiced
Zest from 1 lemon
Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
2ripe red or green pears, thinly sliced
2ouncesprosciutto, cut into 18-20 pieces and rolled
1cuparugula
For the nut crunch mixture:
¼cupshelled pistachios
¼cupraw pumpkin seeds
½tablespoonpure maple syrup
Sea salt
Honey, for drizzling
Sea salt for sprinkle
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place baguette slices on top of a large baking sheet and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil. If you can’t fit them all, you’ll need to use two baking sheets. Bake for 7-10 minutes until crostini is somewhat toasted along the edges.
Make your nut crunch mixture: place pistachios and pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they turn slightly golden brown and fragrant, then turn off heat and immediately add in maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt. Stir for 30 more seconds to coat, then transfer to a plate or piece of parchment paper to cool for a few minutes. Some of the nuts will slightly stick together but this is what we want for the ‘nut crunch’. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl mix together the ricotta, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt and pepper. Add about a tablespoon of ricotta mixture on top, then top with prosciutto, a sliced pear and a little bit of the nut crunch mixture. Drizzle with a tiny bit of honey and add a few leaves of arugula on top. Sprinkle with freshly ground salt and pepper. Makes approximately 18-22 crostini.
Notes
See the full post for tips, tricks & ways to customize your crostini!