CHARRED PEPPERS WITH LEMON RICOTTA AND CUCUMBERS

Charred Peppers With Lemon Ricotta and Cucumbers image

Provided by Andy Baraghani

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

½ cup walnuts
6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
4 sweet Italian frying peppers or Anaheim chiles
1½ cups whole-milk ricotta
1 lemon
Kosher salt
6 medium Persian cucumbers (about 1 lb.), sliced on a deep diagonal
1 cup mint leaves, torn if large
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Place a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Spread out walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Let cool, then crush into large pieces with a flat-bottomed measuring cup or glass.
Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook peppers, shaking pan and turning peppers occasionally, until skins are lightly charred and flesh is tender, 6-8 minutes. Transfer peppers to a cutting board and let cool slightly. If peppers are large, cut in half lengthwise.
Combine ricotta and 2 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl; finely grate zest from lemon over and mix well. Season lemon ricotta with salt. Set lemon aside.
Combine peppers, cucumbers, mint, and half of walnuts in a large bowl. Cut reserved lemon in half and squeeze juice into bowl. Drizzle in 2 Tbsp. oil, season with salt, and toss to coat.
Transfer pepper mixture to a platter along with any juices in the bottom of bowl. Dollop lemon ricotta over and top with remaining walnuts. Drizzle with more oil and season with black pepper.