Carrot and Legume Quiche

The carrot and legume quiche is a savory tart that combines the sweetness of carrots with the nourishing texture of legumes. Below you will find the ingredients and the method.

Ingredients

• Ready-made or homemade shortcrust pastry (for the base) If making it at home you will need:
  • 250g flour
  • 125g cold butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • Cold water (as needed)

For the filling:

• 3 medium carrots
• 1 can of mixed legumes (about 400g), or choose your favorite cooked legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, etc.)
• 4 eggs
• 200 ml fresh cream or milk (for a lighter version)
• 1 small onion
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs to taste (thyme, rosemary, chives)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 100g grated cheese (Parmesan, pecorino or another of your choice)
• Nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

1. If preparing the shortcrust pastry base at home, start by mixing the flour with the butter cut into pieces until you obtain a sandy mixture. Add the egg, a pinch of salt and a little cold water to knead until a smooth ball forms. Let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, wash and peel the carrots, then grate them or cut them into thin slices. Slice the onion as well and sauté it with a drizzle of oil in a pan until it becomes translucent.

3. Add the carrots to the pan with the onion, along with a pinch of salt, pepper and the chopped fresh herbs. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the carrots are tender.

4. Drain and rinse the legumes if using canned ones, and add them to the carrots, letting them absorb the flavors for a few minutes.

5. Roll out the shortcrust pastry into an even layer and gently place it in a previously buttered and floured baking dish, pricking the bottom with a fork.

6. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream or milk, adjust salt and pepper, add a grating of nutmeg if desired, and mix in the grated cheese.

7. Spread the carrot and legume mixture over the shortcrust pastry base, then pour the egg and cream mixture on top.

8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 35-40 minutes, or until the quiche is golden and fully cooked.

Trivia

The quiche is a typical dish of French cuisine, particularly from the Lorraine region. The classic version, known as quiche lorraine, consists of shortcrust pastry, eggs, cream and lardons (small strips of bacon). The quiche has become popular for its versatility, as it can be filled with a wide variety of ingredients. Your version with carrots and legumes is an excellent vegetarian variation!