Description
Zesty Courgette Ricotta Tart brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with elegant layers of creamy ricotta and delicate summer squash. Crisp pastry and herbal notes create a light, refreshing dish perfect for enjoying leisurely afternoons with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 sheet all-butter puff pastry
- 1 small yellow courgette
- 1 small green courgette
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
Seasoning and Herbs:
- ½ lemon zest
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- A drizzle olive oil
- A few fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) using static heat setting, ensuring an even temperature distribution.
- Carefully unfold the puff pastry onto a clean baking tray, smoothing out any wrinkles.
- Using a fork or sharp knife, delicately perforate the pastry surface to prevent excessive rising during baking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with freshly grated lemon zest, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, stirring until well incorporated.
- Spread the seasoned ricotta mixture evenly across the pastry, maintaining a 1-inch border around the edges for a rustic presentation.
- Utilize a mandoline slicer to create paper-thin, uniform courgette slices with precision.
- Artfully layer the translucent courgette slices atop the ricotta, creating an overlapping pattern that alternates colors for visual appeal.
- Gently fold the pastry edges inward, creating a slight raised border to contain the filling.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a light, circular motion over the arranged courgette slices.
- Position the tart in the lower third of the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry achieves a golden, crisp texture.
- Finely chop fresh mint leaves just before serving to preserve their vibrant flavor and aroma.
- Garnish the tart with the chopped mint, releasing a burst of herbal freshness over the warm, crisp surface.
Notes
- Slice courgettes paper-thin using a mandoline for elegant, uniform layers that cook evenly and look professional.
- Opt for fresh, firm courgettes with vibrant green color to ensure maximum flavor and texture in the tart.
- Use room temperature ricotta for smoother spreading and better blending with lemon zest and seasonings.
- Position the tart in the lower third of the oven to achieve a perfectly crisp, golden pastry base without burning.
- Let the tart cool for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the pastry to set and make slicing easier.
- Experiment with different colored courgettes like yellow and green for a visually stunning presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg