Edamame-Arugula Crostini

In addition to the Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms I made for our Italian summer progressive dinner the other night, I also did these light crostini that were a big hit. I was worried that the edamame would make it too sweet, but the arugula provides a nice foil, as does the fresh lemon.

The original recipe calls for fava beans, but since they’re scarce when not in season, the edamame substitution makes this a super easy dish. I even swapped the Parmigiano-Reggiano the original recipe called for with the Pecorino Romano I was already using for the mushrooms.

1 cup shelled, frozen Edamame, thawed
1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp Olive Oil, divided
1-1/2 cups Baby Arugula (1-1/2 ounces), divided
3 tbsp grated Pecorino Romano
1/4 tsp Lemon Zest
1/2 tsp fresh Lemon Juice
1 Baguette
16 Mint or Basil Leaves, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

Pulse edamame in a food processor until very coarsely chopped, then transfer half of mixture to a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil, 1/2 cup arugula, cheese, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper to edamame in processor and purée until smooth.

Add to bowl of coarse edamame, then coarsely chop remaining cup arugula and gently fold into mixture.

Cut diagonal slices (1/3 inch thick) from baguette and place on a sheet pan. Brush or drizzle with remaining tablespoon oil. Bake until pale golden and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes.

Spoon mixture onto baguette toasts, then drizzle with oil and top with mint or basil.