Savory Asparagus Tart

The asparagus savory tart is a delicious spring dish that can be served both as an appetizer and as a main course. Here is the recipe to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of puff pastry or brisée
• 500 g of asparagus
• 3 eggs
• 200 ml of cooking cream
• 100 g of grated cheese (pecorino, parmesan or a mix according to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter or extra virgin olive oil to grease the pan
• 1 tablespoon of flour to dust the pan

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Clean the asparagus by removing the harder end part of the stem. Wash the asparagus and steam them or boil them in salted water for about 10 minutes, until they become tender but still crunchy. Let them cool and then cut them into pieces, setting aside the tips for decoration.
3. Roll out the puff pastry or brisée in a pan previously greased with butter and floured. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
4. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream, add salt, pepper and the grated cheese. Mix well until creating a homogeneous mixture.
5. Distribute the asparagus pieces on the pastry base, pour the egg and cream mixture over it. Decorate with the asparagus tips that you had set aside.
6. Bake the asparagus savory tart and cook for about 30-40 minutes or until the surface appears golden and the pastry is well cooked.
7. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Trivia

Asparagus is highly appreciated in Italian cuisine and can be found in countless recipes, from frittatas to risottos, up to starring in more refined dishes. They contain vitamins (A, C, E, K, some of the B group) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium), and are known for their diuretic properties.

This savory tart lends itself well to variations, such as the addition of speck or prosciutto for a smoky touch, or the incorporation of other cheeses like taleggio or brie for a creamier texture.