Zucchini Blossom And Fontina Panini Recipes

ZUCCHINI PANINI

Steps:

• Cut the zucchini diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices so they are the size of the the width of the bread. Spread them out on a plate or cutting board and season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Preheat a griddle or grill pan to medium-high.
• Cut the bread into 6-inch segments and then cut each segment horizontally almost completely through so you can open it like a book. Open the sandwich halves and press them flat against the work surface with your hands until the bread doesn't spring back. Put cheese on the bottom half of each sandwich.
• Working in batches, melt 1 tablespoon butter on the griddle. Cook the zucchini until slightly browned and soft, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook until pliable and nearly transparent, another 2 minutes. As zucchini is cooked, put it on top of the cheese, dividing equally among the sandwiches. Divide the olives among the sandwiches and close them, pressing to flatten.
• Working in batches, reduce the heat to medium-low and melt 1 tablespoon butter (for a small griddle) or 2 tablespoons butter (for a large griddle). Put the sandwiches on the griddle. Place a baking sheet on top of the sandwiches and weigh it down with something heavy, like canned goods or a cast-iron skillet. The idea is to make the sandwiches as flat as possible. (Alternatively, use a panini press.)
• Cook until the bread is crisp, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook, adding more butter if necessary, until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp, 2 minutes more. Serve immediately.

ZUCCHINI BLOSSOM AND FONTINA PANINI

Steps:

• Gently rinse and dry zucchini blossoms. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add blossoms and sauté until beginning to brown in spots, turning often, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper. Transfer blossoms to paper towels and gently blot off excess oil.
• Place 4 bread slices on work surface. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Fontina on each slice. Top each with 5 blossoms. Top with remaining 4 bread slices; press down to compact. Lightly brush both sides of bread with oil.
• If using panini grill, cook each sandwich until golden brown, about 7 minutes. If using nonstick skillet, heat skillet over medium heat; add sandwiches to skillet, then top with second heavy skillet to weigh down. Grill sandwiches until golden brown and cheese melts, about 4 minutes per side.