Rustic Tart

The rustic tart is a delicious and versatile dish, great for a picnic, a buffet, or a light dinner. The version I propose here is inspired by Italian cuisine, with a filling of ricotta and spinach, but you can customize it with your favorite ingredients. Here is the recipe for a classic rustic tart:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
• 250 g of ricotta cheese
• 200 g of spinach (fresh or frozen)
• 100 g of cooked ham, diced (optional)
• 100 g of grated cheese (parmesan, pecorino, or another of your choice)
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated nutmeg to taste
• 1 egg for brushing (optional)

Preparation

1. Spinach: If you’re using fresh spinach, wash it and cook it for a few minutes in a pan with a little oil until it wilts. If using frozen spinach, cook it as indicated on the package and squeeze out the excess water well.
2. Filling: In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the grated cheese, add the spinach, the diced cooked ham if desired, and the eggs. Season with salt, pepper, and grated nutmeg to taste. Mix well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
3. Preparing the base: Roll out the puff or shortcrust pastry in a round baking tin, preferably lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Prick the bottom with a fork to avoid it puffing up during cooking.
4. Stuffing: Pour the ricotta and spinach filling onto the pastry base and level with a spoon.
5. Cooking: Preheat the oven to 180 °C and, in the meantime, if you wish, brush the pastry rim with a beaten egg to achieve a more intense golden color.
6. Baking: Bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the rustic tart appears golden and the filling is well cooked.
7. Serving: Let the rustic tart cool down a bit before serving. It’s excellent both hot and cold.

The versatility of the rustic tart lies in the fact that you can really adapt it to your tastes. You can add grilled zucchini, roasted peppers, mozzarella, or even replace the spinach with other leafy vegetables like kale or chard. And if you want an extra touch, try adding spices like rosemary or thyme, or a pinch of chili pepper for a spicier flavor.

Trivia

In many countries, there is a version of the savory or rustic tart, which varies in fillings and types of dough used. In France, for example, the quiche is a very famous rustic tart that often includes bacon and cheese, while in Italy regional variations may include typical ingredients like seasonal vegetables or local cured meats.