Rustic Minestrone Pie

The rustic minestrone pie is a creative dish to reuse leftover minestrone in a tasty way, turning it into a savory tart. It is a versatile recipe that can vary based on the ingredients available in the starting minestrone. Below I provide a basic version that you can adapt as you like.

Ingredients

• 500 g puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
• 500 g already cooked minestrone
• 100 g grated cheese (Parmesan, Pecorino, or a mix of the two)
• 3 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Aromatic herbs to taste (basil, thyme, rosemary)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a large bowl, mix the minestrone with the eggs, grated cheese, a pinch of salt, pepper, and chopped aromatic herbs.
3. Roll out the puff pastry or shortcrust pastry in a baking pan previously greased with a little oil or lined with parchment paper.
4. Pour the minestrone mixture onto the pastry base.
5. Fold the edges of the pastry inward to contain the filling.
6. Brush the edges of the pastry with a little extra virgin olive oil for a golden finish.
7. Bake the rustic pie for about 30-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the filling is well cooked.
8. Let it cool slightly before serving.

The rustic minestrone pie can be served both hot and cold and is perfect for a picnic lunch or a buffet. Every rustic pie becomes a unique culinary work of art, depending on the mix of vegetables in your minestrone. You can also add cooked ham or diced pancetta if you want an extra touch of flavor.

Trivia

The rustic minestrone pie is a perfect example of “leftover cuisine,” where previous day’s dishes are reinvented to reduce waste and offer ever-new flavors to diners.