Savory Tart with Eggplant

17/11/2023

Here is a recipe for an Italian-style savory tart with eggplants:

Ingredients

1 roll of brisée or puff pastry
2-3 medium eggplants
200 g of ricotta
100 g of grated cheese (parmesan or pecorino)
2 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil
1 clove of garlic
Fresh basil (a few leaves)
(Optional) cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Preparation

Start by washing the eggplants, slice them about 5-6 mm thick and arrange them on a tray, sprinkle with some salt to let them lose their bitterness. Leave them to rest for about 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry with kitchen paper.
Heat a pan with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic, sauté the eggplant slices until they become golden on both sides. Then place them on a plate lined with kitchen paper to remove excess oil.
In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the grated cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper until you have a smooth mixture.
If you have chosen to use cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes, chop them up and add them to the ricotta mixture.
Roll out the brisée pastry in a pie dish, previously greased or lined with parchment paper. Prick the bottom with a fork.
Arrange a layer of eggplants on the pastry, then pour the ricotta mixture over it and level it well.
Finish with another layer of eggplants and some basil leaves for flavor.
Bake the savory tart in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes, or until the surface is golden and the pastry is cooked.
Remove the savory tart from the oven and let it cool down before serving.

This tart is great both hot and cold, perfect for a picnic or as an appetizer at dinner.

Curiosity

Eggplants are highly valued in Italian cuisine, especially in the South where they are the basis of dishes such as parmigiana. They are versatile and lend themselves to multiple preparations, either as the main ingredient or as a side dish. Eggplant is low in calories and rich in water and fiber, as well as having a good content of minerals and vitamins.