Zucchini Savory Tart

The zucchini savory tart is a simple, tasty, and versatile dish, perfect to serve as a starter or as a single course for a light dinner. Here’s how to prepare it with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
• 3 medium zucchinis
• 200 g of ricotta cheese
• 100 g of cooked ham (optional)
• 80 g of grated cheese (parmesan or pecorino)
• 3 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aromatic herbs to taste (basil, thyme, mint)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
2. Wash and slice the zucchinis into thin rounds. In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the zucchinis for a few minutes until they become slightly golden. You can add a pinch of salt and the chopped herbs.
3. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta with the grated cheese, add the eggs and mix everything together until you get a homogeneous mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
4. If you decide to include the cooked ham, cut it into strips and add it to the bowl with the ricotta mixture.
5. Roll out the puff pastry in a round baking dish, previously greased or lined with parchment paper. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
6. Pour half of the zucchinis onto the puff pastry, then evenly spread the ricotta mixture over them. Distribute the remaining zucchinis on the surface.
7. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the savory tart is golden in color and the surface is slightly puffed and firm to the touch.
8. Let it cool down before serving.

Fun Facts

The zucchini savory tart, or “zucchini quiche,” is a recipe that lends itself to multiple variations; you can enrich it by adding other vegetables, such as peppers or eggplants, or speck for a more smoked flavor. In Italy, it is common to serve a savory tart during spring picnics or as a tasty snack during an aperitif.

Enjoy your meal!