Italian Rustic Tart

The Italian rustic tart is a delicious and versatile dish that can be customized with various fillings. Below you will find a classic recipe to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 300 g of type 00 flour
• 150 g of cold butter, cubed
• 70 g of sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 yolk
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• A pinch of salt

For the filling:

• Jam of choice (e.g., apricot, strawberry, sour cherry) or custard
• Dried or fresh fruit of choice (e.g., hazelnuts, almonds, apples, pears)

Preparation

1. Start with the preparation of the shortcrust pastry: in a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and work it with your fingertips until you get a sandy mixture.
2. Add the egg and yolk, work quickly to amalgamate without overheating the dough. If necessary, add a little cold water. As soon as the dough is ready, form it into a ball, wrap it in cling film, and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
3. In the meantime, prepare the chosen filling: if using jam, spread it in an even layer; if opting for fresh fruit, cut the fruit into slices and season as desired with sugar and spices (cinnamon, cloves, or vanilla).
4. Take the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 0.5 cm. Transfer the dough to a tart tin, previously buttered and floured, and prick the bottom with a fork.
5. Spread the filling over the base of the tart, and if desired, add dried or fresh fruit on top of the filling. You can also create strips with the remaining dough to make a lattice on top of the tart.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes or until the shortcrust pastry is golden.
7. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Curiosity

The rustic tart can be customized in many ways, often in Italian regions ricotta is used in the filling or spices are added to enrich the flavor. It is a dessert that lends itself to many variations according to the season and the cook’s creativity.