Savory Radicchio Cake

Here is the recipe for the savory radicchio cake, a tasty dish that celebrates the bitter flavor of this winter vegetable, typical of the Veneto region but appreciated throughout Italy.

Ingredients

• 1 roll of brisée pastry (or puff pastry, if you prefer)
• 500 g of red radicchio
• 200 g of ricotta cheese
• 100 g of grated cheese (parmesan or pecorino)
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (optional)
• Pumpkin seeds or pine nuts for decoration (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Clean the radicchio, cut it into strips and wilt it in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. If you wish, you can add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to mitigate the bitterness of the radicchio and add a sweet and sour note.
3. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the grated cheese, add the eggs, salt and pepper, and beat everything until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
4. Incorporate the cooked radicchio into the ricotta mixture.
5. Roll out the brisée pastry in a baking tin previously greased or lined with parchment paper, prick the bottom with a fork.
6. Pour the radicchio and ricotta mixture onto the brisée pastry and level the surface.
7. If you like, decorate with pumpkin seeds or pine nuts to add crunchiness.
8. Bake the savory radicchio cake for about 30 minutes or until the surface is golden brown.
9. Let it cool down a bit before serving.

This savory pie is ideal for an appetizer or a light meal, possibly accompanied by a fresh salad.

Curiosity

The red radicchio of Treviso and the variegated radicchio of Castelfranco are two typical varieties that enjoy IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) status and are distinguished by their unique taste. This vegetable is very versatile in the kitchen and lends itself to numerous recipes, from salads to risottos, to being the protagonist of savory cakes.