Savory Potato and Pancetta Tart

The savory pie with potatoes and pancetta is a delicious rustic dish that can be served as an appetizer or as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad. Here I propose the recipe in a very simple way and with an Italian variant.

Ingredients

• 1 roll of shortcrust pastry or ready-made puff pastry
• 3-4 medium potatoes
• 150 g diced pancetta
• 1 small onion
• 100 g grated cheese (such as Parmesan or pecorino)
• 2 eggs
• 100 ml cooking cream or milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aromatic herbs to taste (rosemary, thyme, sage)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly.
3. In a pan, sauté the finely chopped onion with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent. Add the pancetta and let it brown until crispy.
4. Blanch the potato slices in salted water for about 5-7 minutes, then drain and let them cool slightly.
5. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream (or milk), add the grated cheese, salt, pepper and chopped aromatic herbs.
6. Roll out the shortcrust or puff pastry into a tart pan, previously greased or lined with parchment paper.
7. Spread a first layer of potatoes on the bottom, then add the pancetta with the onion and cover with the remaining potatoes.
8. Pour the egg and cream mixture over the potatoes, making sure it seeps between the layers.
9. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the surface of the savory tart becomes golden and crispy.
10. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Trivia

The savory tart is a versatile preparation that lends itself to numerous variations. In Italy, it is common to add ingredients such as mozzarella, cooked ham, vegetables or speck to further enrich the filling. In addition, it is a practical dish because it can be eaten both hot and cold and is perfect for picnics or as a snack.