Snail Shell Spiral Dish (Printable Version)

Visually striking spiral of roasted vegetables layered over a creamy herb cheese spread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small eggplant, thinly sliced lengthwise
02 - 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
03 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
04 - 1 yellow squash, thinly sliced lengthwise
05 - 1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise

→ Cheese & Dairy

06 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, softened
07 - 2 tbsp crème fraîche

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
09 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - ½ tsp sea salt
12 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 1 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted
14 - Microgreens, for garnish (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Lightly brush all vegetable slices with olive oil, then season evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 - Arrange the vegetable slices in a single layer on the prepared tray and roast for 10 to 12 minutes until pliable but not browned. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Combine goat cheese, crème fraîche, chopped basil, and thyme in a small bowl, mixing until smooth and well blended.
05 - Spread a thin, even layer of the cheese mixture onto a large serving plate, starting from the center and spiraling outward.
06 - Starting at the center, layer the roasted vegetable slices in a continuous overlapping spiral over the cheese base, alternating colors for an appealing visual.
07 - Sprinkle lightly toasted pine nuts over the spiral and add microgreens as desired for freshness and color.
08 - Offer at room temperature as a refined appetizer or light lunch.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely showstopping on the plate, like you've just unveiled a culinary masterpiece, yet it's surprisingly straightforward to make
  • The roasted vegetables develop a tender, almost buttery texture that melts against the creamy goat cheese
  • It's naturally vegetarian and comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for unexpected guests or a light lunch with purpose
  • Each bite combines different vegetables at their peak—the eggplant's silky smoothness, the zucchini's gentle sweetness, the pepper's crunch softening into compliance
02 -
  • The vegetables must cool after roasting—if you try to build the spiral with hot vegetables, the cheese will melt unevenly and the whole thing falls apart. I learned this the hard way.
  • Consistency in vegetable slice thickness is everything; it determines how neatly your spiral comes together and how evenly they cook. A mandoline isn't essential, but it changed my life with this dish.
  • The spiral should be tight and intentional—rushing this part means loose layers that don't hold together as beautifully when plated.
03 -
  • Toast your pine nuts in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until fragrant—this intensifies their flavor dramatically and adds dimension to each bite
  • The secret to a beautiful spiral is using a offset spatula to spread the cheese and working slowly, letting each layer settle before adding the next
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