Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups with Herb Goat Cheese

It is almost time to ring in the New Year. Are you ready to bring in 2011? We don’t have any “big” plans.  However, my hubby would think differently because a very big football game is on Friday night.  Which means we will be sitting close to the TV watching the South Carolina vs. Florida State on New Year’s Eve.  That means bite-size food is on the agenda at our house. If you are throwing a New Year’s party, these bite-size morsels are just the right thing to add as an hors d’oeuvre to your celebration.  These are great with the tender spinach and basil leaves peeking out of a grilled zucchini filled with herbed goat cheese.  The best thing about these bite-size wonders is they are super easy to make too.  That way you have plenty of time to enjoy the New Year’s celebration. 

If you are looking for a few more recipes to impress your New Year’s guest, here are a few of my party favorites:

Pesto Cheese Phyllo Bites

Corn and Crab Fritters with Guacamole

Chicken Apple Bacon Sliders

Spinach and Cheese Pinwheels

And here are some of my favorites from my other foodie friends:

Edamame Guacamole – Two Peas and their Pod

Bite Size Tacos – My Baking Addiction

Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms – Family Fresh Cooking

Savory French Toast Bites with Bacon, Tomato and Cheese - Cookin’ Canuck

Feta Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burger Sliders – Picky Palate

Wishing each of you a happy and prosperous New Year!!!

Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups with Herbed Goat Cheese

Print Recipe

3 small zucchini (about 1/2 pound each), cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick-slices

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 ounces fresh herb and garlic goat cheese

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1/3 cup fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

Preheat grill pan over medium heat.

Discard the outermost slices of zucchini and brush the rest with oil on both sides.  Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.  Grill until tender, about 4 minutes on each side. 

In a small bowl, combine goat cheese and lemon juice, mashing them together with a fork. 

Put 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture about 1/2-inch from the end of zucchini slice.  Top with a mixture of basil and spinach leaves.  Roll up and place seam side down a spinach leaf on a platter.  Repeat with the rest of the zucchini slices.  You can make these up to a day before you are ready to serve and store in an airtight container, but I would recommend serving them the same day.

Makes 16 roll-ups