L’AQUILA’s delicious and versatile products are created from carefully selected fresh Mediterranean produce and our Ingredient Spotlight serves to highlight our favourite seasonal vegetables and their diverse usages.
The arrival of brighter skies and al-fresco dining naturally invite fresh, light flavours and vibrant colours onto our plates, making it the perfect time to shine a spotlight on our courgette products. Although often overlooked, courgettes are an integral component of countless spring and summer dishes. They are sometimes seen as less trendy, flavourful or versatile than other Mediterranean vegetables, but this couldn't be further from the truth. With a plush, deep green exterior that is retained even when cooked, and a milky white centre that becomes almost creamy when roasted, courgettes boast a delectable nutty flavour.
Lending themselves to dishes from antipasti to salads, bakes and sandwiches, our range of Sorriso™ courgette products comprises of roasted & chargrilled slices - short cut, long cut, rounds and dices.
Chargrilled Sliced Courgettes (Long Cut)
Simply sliced lengthways our Sorriso™ Chargrilled Sliced Courgettes (long cut) are produced from freshly harvested courgettes chargrilled to intensify their earthy flavour. Simultaneously silky and tender whilst able to maintain their shape, they are a great addition to vegan offerings:
Add mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil and olive oil, then roast for a rich, melty finish — a warm twist on a classic Caprese salad.
Classic ingredients married with innovative flavours adds excitement to the simplest ingredients and attracts vegans and flexitarians alike.
Chargrilled Sliced Courgettes (Short Cut)
Undergoing the same cooking process, we can also prepare our sliced courgettes ‘low oil’. Our Sorriso™ Chargrilled Sliced Courgettes (short cut) are especially crunchy and fresh tasting, with their configuration also lending themselves to more usages:
Mini quiche with salmon and courgettes
We find savoury bakes even more delicious with a generous dollop heavy cream — a perfect light lunch or hearty snack.
Courgette Rounds
Expertly crafted Sorriso™ Courgette Rounds can be roasted, chargrilled (or both!) to form soft caramelised coins, their flavour developing when lightly marinated in sunflower oil and herbs. Simply serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon and pepper or craft some refined finger food:
Crostini layered with smoky chargrilled courgette rounds and cream cheese
Interchange base and garnish as desired, we also love these with just creamy ricotta and a drizzle of chestnut honey.
Roasted Diced Courgettes
Sorriso™ Roasted Diced Courgettes are slowly cooked to concentrate their subtle bittersweet flavour. Although these can be produced in any desired dimension, we are giving a special mention to our smallest piece size. Offering a beautiful aesthetic, add these emerald gems to any dish in need of extra colour and texture:
Warm Spiced Courgette & Potato Vegan Stew
A comforting vegetable stew where the earthy flavour of roasted courgettes meets the warmth of paprika and the delicate aroma of saffron. Balanced with creamy potatoes and the umami richness of tomatoes, this dish is both vibrant and deeply satisfying.
Chargrilled Vegetable Mix
As an honourable mention, we would also like to present our Sorriso™ Chargrilled Vegetable Mix, comprising of sliced aubergines, peppers and courgettes, this product can be easily added to a variety of recipes for an instant boost in summertime appeal:
Ptitim pasta and chargrilled Mediterranean diced vegetables mix
or
Smoky vegetables, fresh herbs and salty cheese make a winning combination in any dish featuring our sliced chargrilled vegetable mix.
It is important to note that given a brief, we can create many different variations of the above products, changing marinades, cooking process and configurations