Rustichella Cake

The Rustichella cake is an Italian classic, perfect for a picnic or a casual dinner. Here is the recipe to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 300 g of puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
• 200 g of diced cooked ham
• 150 g of mozzarella or smoked provola
• 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 eggs
• 200 ml of cooking cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste (optional)
• Butter for greasing the pan

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Roll out the puff pastry or shortcrust pastry in a previously buttered pan, making sure the edges are slightly raised at the sides.
3. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
4. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
5. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix well.
6. Evenly distribute the diced cooked ham and mozzarella on the puff pastry in the pan.
7. Pour the egg and cream mixture over the cake, making sure to cover the ham and mozzarella.
8. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the surface of the cake is golden and the pastry is cooked.
9. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

You can personalize the Rustichella cake by adding other ingredients of your choice, such as spinach, artichokes, or grilled zucchini. It is also possible to replace the cooked ham with bacon or speck for a smokier flavor.

Curiosity

The Rustichella cake is a versatile dish that you can modify based on the occasion and the ingredients you have available, still maintaining its characteristic as a tasty savory pie.