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Crostata ricotta e visciole

17/11/2023

The ricotta and sour cherry crostata is a classic Italian dessert, particularly from Rome, which combines the sweetness of ricotta with the pleasant contrast of sour cherries, a variety of tart cherry. It is a perfect cake for any occasion.

Ingredients

For the shortcrust pastry:

  • 300 g of 00 flour
  • 150 g of cold butter, cubed
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 yolk
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • A pinch of salt

For the filling:

  • 500 g of ricotta
  • 200 g of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 packet of vanillin or the seeds from 1 vanilla pod
  • Sour cherry jam to taste

Preparation

  1. Start with the shortcrust pastry: work the flour with the cold butter until the mixture is sandy. Add sugar, a pinch of salt, and the lemon zest. Add the whole egg and the yolk and knead until you get a homogeneous dough. Wrap in cling film and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

  2. For the filling: sieve the ricotta to make it creamy and blend it with sugar. Add eggs, grated lemon zest, and vanillin, then mix well until the mixture is smooth.

  3. Take the shortcrust pastry out of the fridge and roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 4-5 mm. Line a previously buttered and floured tart pan with the pastry, pricking the bottom with a fork.

  4. Spread a layer of sour cherry jam over the bottom of the pastry, then layer on the ricotta mixture.

  5. With the remaining shortcrust pastry, form strips to create the classic lattice on top of the tart. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can completely cover the surface with the remaining pastry, pricking it to allow the steam to escape.

  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes or until the tart is golden brown.

  7. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Curiosity

The ricotta and sour cherry crostata is so closely linked to Roman tradition that it’s almost impossible not to find it in the city’s pastry shops, especially during the Easter period. But its deliciousness makes it a suitable choice all year round. Also, the sour cherries used in the jam are often those from the so-called “visciolato,” a liqueur made from sour cherries typical of the area. If you can’t find sour cherries, you can substitute them with black cherry or tart cherry jam.

Crostata ricotta e visciole