Roasted Red Pepper Involtini

Manami's Note:

Healthy, Make-Ahead, Vegetarian recipe! Elena Boroli, who co-owns the Locanda del Pilone farmhouse inn and restaurant in Piedmont, "says bell peppers are the best symbol of Piedmontese cucina povera (peasant food). This simple recipe for involtini (little Italian rolls) is all about the deeply flavored, slow-roasted red bell peppers, which get wrapped around fresh ricotta cheese and plum tomatoes." We had occasion to make these here at the home and they looked wonderful - especially with so items and such a rich taste! Recipe by Maurizio Quaranta from Winemakers' Amazing Lunch on the Italian Riviera which appeared in F&W Magazine, 08/2008.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 4 large red bell peppers
• ½ lb fresh ricotta (1 cup)
• 2 tablespoons snipped chives
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 plum tomato , peeled seeded and finely diced

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F
2. Arrange the peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 1 hour, turning occasionally, until tender and charred in spots; transfer the peppers to a paper bag, close and let cool.
3. Peel, core and seed the roasted bell peppers, keeping them intact.
4. Cut each pepper in half lengthwise and pat dry with paper towels.
5. Working over a bowl, press the ricotta through a sieve.
6. Add the snipped chives, season with salt and pepper and stir the tomato into the filling.
7. Arrange the roasted peppers on a work surface, skinned sides down.
8. Divide the filling evenly between the halves and roll up into thick cylinders.
9. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
10. Cut the cylinders into 3/4-inch-thick slices, transfer to a platter with the cut sides up and serve.
11. *The involtini can be refrigerated overnight; return to room temperature before serving.
12. Serve with Wine - Di Grésy’s 2006 Monte Aribaldo Dolcetto d’Alba, a lighter red with bright cherry fruit and a firm yet graceful structure, would also be a good match.