Savory Pie with Speck, Cauliflower, and Mozzarella

The savory pie with speck, cauliflower, and mozzarella is a rustic and flavorful dish, perfect for a casual meal or a buffet. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
• 300 g of cauliflower
• 150 g of speck cut into strips
• 200 g of mozzarella (fiordilatte is better)
• 3 eggs
• 100 ml of cream
• 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Butter for greasing the pan

Preparation

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Grease a savory pie pan with a little butter and roll out the puff pastry or shortcrust, pricking the bottom with a fork.
3. Peel and cut the cauliflower into florets, then boil in salted water for about 5-8 minutes until tender but not overcooked. Drain well and set aside.
4. In a non-stick pan, sauté the speck without adding fats until it becomes crispy. Remove and set aside.
5. Cut the mozzarella into cubes and let it drain to remove excess water.
6. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream. Add the grated Parmesan, a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix well to obtain a homogeneous mixture.
7. Distribute the cauliflower florets, crispy speck, and diced mozzarella over the pastry base.
8. Pour the egg and cream mixture on top, ensuring to evenly cover all the ingredients.
9. Bake the savory pie for about 30-35 minutes until the surface is golden brown and the pastry is well cooked.
10. Let cool slightly before serving.

Curiosity

Speck is a typical ingredient from the Trentino-Alto Adige region and adds a very pleasant smoked touch to this savory pie. It is usually obtained through a process of smoking and curing that gives it a distinctive flavor, which pairs particularly well with the sweetness of the cauliflower and the stringiness of mozzarella.

If you wish, you can further personalize the pie by adding aromatic herbs such as thyme or rosemary for a more fragrant note.