Simple Skewers for the Grill

Photo by The Bitten Word/Flickr CC

Working on the bonus bacon recipes for the Zingerman's Community of Businesses exclusive rollout version of Zingerman's Guide to Better Bacon, and this is one of the finalists. This is ideal summer grilling food to me. Simple, simple, simple, easy to do ahead.

Wet down some wooden skewers. Take some medium thin slices of pancetta and cut them in half lengthwise so they're not too long. Cut some of fresh mozzarella into one-inch cubes. Do the same with some smoked mozzarella.

Wrap each square in a half slice of the pancetta. Alternate those with vegetables of your choice. I've been using thick pieces of the asparagus but spring onions, zucchini, or actually most anything will work. You can adjust the veg-to-meat-to-cheeses proportions to fit your taste. Bigger and firmer vegetables need to be cooked ahead, since this just finishes things on the grill.

Brush the whole thing with olive oil, and lay 'em on the grill for a minute to two on each side. Because everything is already cooked, the idea is just to get a bit of the grill to the flavor and get the cheese soft and slightly on the gooey side of things without completely melting into the fire. Eat 'em hot with a green salad and some Paesano bread on the side and you're very good to go!