Asparagus Ribbon Crostini

Name: Asparagus Ribbon Crostini
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 12 baguette slices, diagonally cut (½-inch-thick); 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1.25 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; .75 cup whole-milk ricotta; .25 cup grated Parmesan; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint; 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, from 1 lemon; .5 teaspoon black pepper; 1 pound trimmed asparagus, shaved into thin ribbons; Garnish: lemon zest and torn mint

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This bright appetizer is perfect for spring parties.

By

Marianne Williams

Published on February 8, 2022

Asparagus Ribbon Crostini — Photo: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Active Time:

20 mins

Additional Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Yield:

12

March marks the start of asparagus season, and we're ushering in the warmer months with all things green and bright. From simple roasted asparagus to Creamy Asparagus Soup, there are so many ways to prepare this early spring veggie. Our Test Kitchen developed this recipe for Asparagus Ribbon Crostini with spring parties in mind.

This quick and easy party appetizer is ready for its close-up. With stunning curls of peeled asparagus and a garnish of lemon zest and torn mint, these asparagus crostini highlight the best fresh produce that the spring has to offer. Since this recipe requires almost no cooking (aside from toasting the baguette slices), it's remarkably easy to assemble in a pinch. For an extra boost of flavor, we infuse the ricotta with Parmesan, lemon zest, and fresh mint, smearing a generous amount of this mixture onto the crostini. From there, top the crostini with the piéce de rèsistance: raw shaved asparagus.

Creating asparagus ribbons may seem fussy, but this technique is shockingly easy to execute. Make asparagus ribbons by shaving the stalks upwards a few times with a Y peeler. Rotate the spears and repeat on the other side.

Ingredients

12 baguette slices, diagonally cut (½-inch-thick)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
¾ cup whole-milk ricotta
¼ cup grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, from 1 lemon
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 pound trimmed asparagus, shaved into thin ribbons
Garnish: lemon zest and torn mint

Directions

Place diagonal baguette slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 Tbsp. olive oil; sprinkle with ¼ tsp. kosher salt. Bake at 450°F until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely.
Stir together whole-milk ricotta, grated Parmesan, chopped fresh mint, lemon zest, and ½ tsp. kosher salt and black pepper in a bowl.
Whisk together 1 Tbsp. olive oil and lemon juice and ½ tsp. kosher salt in a separate bowl; add trimmed asparagus (shaved into thin ribbons), and toss gently to coat.
Spread ricotta mixture on baguette slices. Top with asparagus ribbons. Garnish with lemon zest and torn mint.