Il Cucinologo
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Savory Zucchini and Pancetta Tart

17/11/2023

The savory tart with zucchini and pancetta is a tasty dish that is relatively simple to prepare. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 roll of puff pastry or round shortcrust pastry
  • 3-4 medium zucchini
  • 150 g diced pancetta
  • 3 eggs
  • 200 ml fresh cream or milk
  • 100 g grated cheese (pecorino, parmesan or grana)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Butter (for greasing the pan)
  • Breadcrumbs (for dusting the pan)

Preparation

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Wash and cut the zucchini into thin slices and lightly sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Cook until the zucchini are soft but still slightly crunchy. Set aside.
  3. In a pan, cook the diced pancetta until it becomes crispy. Drain the excess fat and set aside to let it cool slightly.
  4. Grease a round pan with a little butter and dust it with breadcrumbs. This will help create a crispy base for the savory tart.
  5. Gently roll out the puff pastry or shortcrust into the pan, prick it with the tines of a fork, then blind bake (empty) for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
  6. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the fresh cream or milk, add the grated cheese, salt and pepper, and mix well.
  7. Take the semi-cooked puff pastry base from the oven, evenly distribute the pancetta and zucchini on the surface, then pour the egg and cream mixture over the zucchini and pancetta.
  8. Bake the savory tart at 180 °C for about 30-35 minutes, or until the surface is golden and the filling has set.
  9. Let the savory tart rest for a few minutes before serving.

You can serve this savory tart both hot and at room temperature, and it is perfect for a family lunch, a picnic or as an appetizer at a dinner with friends.

Trivia

The savory tart is a classic of Italian cuisine, perfect for recycling ingredients you have at home. The combination of zucchini and pancetta is a classic, which strikes a balance between the sweetness of the zucchini and the bold flavor of the pancetta.