Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt Recipe

OMG, you guys, this Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt is like fall wrapped in a sandwich—crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a crunchy mix of veggies and apple slices make every bite a flavor-packed journey! 🍂🥓🧀 I love how the fresh thyme gives it that extra kick, and honestly, toasty sourdough never disappoints, right?

As the crisp autumn breeze blows in, I feel a real desire for hearty, comforting flavors. My Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt unites crispy bacon and sharp cheddar with the sweet notes of apple and the earthy essence of thyme.

It pairs well with super-thin slices of zucchini and red onion, balancing savory and fresh to please the taste buds and check some nutrient boxes.

Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt Recipe Ingredients

• Bacon: Adds umami and a crispy, smoky flavor.
• Apple: Provides sweetness and a crisp texture.
• Red Bell Pepper: Adds color and a mild sweetness.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides richness and sharp, tangy notes.
• Zucchini: Mild flavor, adds moisture and nutrients.
• Olive Oil: Healthy fat to enhance flavors.

Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 4 slices of thick-cut bacon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 slices of rustic bread (such as sourdough or ciabatta)
• 4 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

How to Make this Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt Recipe

1. In a frying pan, prepare the bacon on medium heat, allowing it to become crispy. Withdraw the bacon from the pan, and let it drain on a paper towel. Then, with your hands, or using kitchen shears, crumble the bacon into bits.

2. In the same skillet, pour off excess bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add the olive oil and heat over medium.

3. In the skillet, add the sliced red onion and red bell pepper, and sauté them until they start to soften, which should take around 3 minutes.

4. Introduce the zucchini and sauté for an additional 4 minutes, until all vegetables are tender.

5. Add the apple slices and fresh thyme, cooking for 2 more minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

6. Heat a pancake griddle or a large nonstick pan over medium-low heat.

7. Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread.

8. To put together, lay out 2 slices of bread, spread with butter, with the buttered side down. Using that as a base, build a sandwich with cheese, vegetables, and bacon. Use crumbled bacon and top each sandwich with a slice of cheese. And finally, top the sandwich with the last slice of bread, spread with butter and ready for the frying pan.

9. Put sandwiches on the griddle or in the pan, preheated. Cook until the bread has browned to a golden state and the cheese has melted, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

10. Take it off the heat, let it cool a bit, and then slice. Serve it warm. And enjoy your Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt!

Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Frying pan
2. Kitchen shears (optional)
3. Paper towels
4. Skillet
5. Pancake griddle or large nonstick pan
6. Knife
7. Cutting board
8. Spatula

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of cheese?Definitely, you can replace the sharp cheddar with another type of cheese such as Swiss or Gouda for an extraordinary taste.
• What if I don’t have fresh thyme?1/2 teaspoon dried thyme can be used as a substitute for fresh thyme leaves.
• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?Definitely, just leave out the bacon or utilize an alternative that is based on plants.
• What type of apple is best for this recipe?Apples that are either Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are optimal because they provide a nice combination of sweet and tart flavors.
• Is it necessary to use rustic bread?Best texture: rustic bread such as sourdough or ciabatta. Can also use any sturdy bread.
• How do I prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy?Make sure you eliminate any moisture from the vegetables and bacon before you put the sandwich together.
• Can I prepare any components in advance?Certainly, the bacon can be cooked and the vegetables sautéed ahead of time, allowing for sandwich assembly when it’s time to eat.

Harvest Vegetable Bacon Apple Melt Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Bacon, thick cut: For a vegetarian alternative, use either turkey bacon or tempeh bacon.
Oil from olives: If you don’t have this on hand, use oil from avocados or oil from grapeseeds.
Shallots or yellow onion can be substituted in recipes that call for red onion.
For red bell pepper, substitute with either yellow or orange bell pepper.
Cheddar cheese, sharp: Substitute with gouda or Swiss cheese for a different flavor profile.

Pro Tips

1. Layer Strategically for Even Cooking When assembling your sandwich, place a layer of cheese both at the bottom and top. This ensures that the melted cheese binds the ingredients together, helping to maintain structural integrity during cooking and flipping.

2. Pre-Crisp the Bread For an extra crispy exterior, lightly toast the bread slices in the oven or toaster before assembling the sandwich. This not only boosts crunch but also prevents the bread from becoming soggy from the vegetable juices.

3. Optimize Flavor in the Vegetables To enhance the caramelization, add a dash of balsamic vinegar or a sprinkle of brown sugar to the vegetables while they sauté. This will deepen the flavors and add a slight sweetness that complements the apples and balances the savory elements.

4. Don’t Rush the Griddle When cooking the sandwiches on the griddle or pan, maintain a medium-low heat. This allows the cheese to fully melt and the flavors to meld without burning the bread. Cover the pan with a lid if you need to trap more heat to aid cheese melting.

5. Customizable Cheese Choice While sharp cheddar provides a nice contrast with the sweet and savory elements, feel free to experiment with different cheese types such as Gruyère or Gouda for a different flavor profile that might better suit your taste preferences.