The Potato Cannoli with Salsa Verde is a creative twist on a classic Italian favorite, transforming thinly sliced, crispy potatoes into delicate cannoli shells. These golden rolls are filled with a savory, creamy mixture — often featuring herbs, cheese, or vegetables — and served with a vibrant salsa verde. The result is a beautifully balanced dish where the crispiness of the potato meets the bright, tangy freshness of the sauce — perfect as an elegant appetizer or modern tapas bite.

Ingredients

Cannoli Shell

• 6 each Russets, large, washed, sliced thin on Japanese mandolin (24 slices)

Filling

• 3 cups Instant Mashed Potatoes
• 3 cups Water, Boiling
• 2 1/3 cups Milk, Whole
• 4 tablespoons Butter, Unsalted
• 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
• 2 cups Parmesan Cheese, grated
• ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg, ground

Sauce

• ½ cup Cilantro, fresh, chopped fine
• ½ cup Grapeseed or Canola oil
• ¼ cup Shallots, minced
• ½ cup Sherry vinegar, best quality
• As Needed Kosher salt
• As Needed Black Pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

• Make salsa verde (vinaigrette) by mincing shallots and combining them with the sherry vinegar, salt, oil and cilantro stirring to combine. (It works fine as a broken vinaigrette. If needed, season with more salt and pepper to taste.
• Fry potato cannoli. Heat fryer to 350F. Using a taco frying basket and metal cannoli molds, spray each mold with nonstick spray and then wrap potato slices around mold and set into taco basket pinning seam against the side. Fry cannoli until fully cooked and lightly brown (like a potato chip) and then remove and drain. Cool slightly and then carefully slide the cannoli off the steel mold. Repeat as needed.
• Prepare the filling. Make the instant masked potatoes by adding butter and salt to the boiling water. Remove from heat and add the milk. Stir in the instant potatoes gently adding the parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Let stand until moist and creamy. Stir in additional hot water or milk for creamier mashed potatoes.
• Place filling in pastry bag to facilitate piping into the cannoli. Fill each cannoli and set aside keeping warm. Work quickly as if your filling is too moist it will soften the potato cannoli after a few minutes.
• Plate cannoli. Lay cannoli on side and spoon a little vinaigrette over top or stand and do the same. (garnish with freshly ground black pepper, flaked salt and some shaved parmesan cheese).

Recipe from Potato Goodness