Zucchini And Tomato Tart Recipes

EASY ZUCCHINI, TOMATO, AND CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Remove the puff pastry from the package and let thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until no longer frozen but still cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, or until the onion is slightly tender. Stir in the zucchini and saute just until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Mix in the drained tomatoes and raise the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring often, until the zucchini is tender but not mushy and the juices have evaporated. Let cool.
• Lightly butter a dark-colored 9-inch tart pan with a removable rim or a glass pie plate. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into an 11-inch square. Fit it into the tart pan or pie plate. Trim off the overhanging pieces of pastry with scissors. Refrigerate the crust, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or up to 8 hours, covered.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in the cheese, salt, pepper, and cooled vegetables. Spoon the mixture into the tart pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is brown and a knife inserted in the center of the tart comes out clean. Remove the outer rim of the tart pan. Let the tart cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before slicing. It is best to serve this tart very warm rather than piping hot.

ZUCCHINI AND GOAT CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Place the flour, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and the butter in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse 12 to 14 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the processor running, pour the vinegar and ice water through the feed tube and continue to process and pulse until the dough just comes together. Dump out on a floured board, form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the zucchini in a colander set over a plate. Toss it with 2 teaspoons of salt and set aside for 30 minutes. Spread the zucchini out on a clean dish towel, roll it up, and squeeze gently to remove some of the liquid. Put the zucchini slices into a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. With a fork, mash together the goat cheese, thyme, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Roll the dough out on a floured board to an 11-inch circle and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Spread the dough with the goat cheese mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Lay the zucchini slices in tightly overlapping circles, starting at the very edge of the pastry (the zucchini will shrink when it bakes). Continue overlapping circles of zucchini until the whole tart is covered. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with pepper. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the dough is golden brown. Cut in wedges and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

FRESH TOMATO AND ZUCCHINI TART

Steps:

• Make the pastry: Blend the cream cheese and the butter.
• Add the flour and salt and mix just until the dough starts to form a ball.
• Sprinkle the chives on a work surface.
• Turn out the dough and knead lightly until the chives are incorporated.
• Pat the dough into a disc about ½ inch thick.
• Wrap and refrigerate for atleast 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature to soften slightly.
• On a well-floured work surface, roll the dough into a 13 to 14 inch round.
• Roll the pastry onto the rolling pin and gently unroll it over an 11 inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Fit the dough evenly into the pan without stretching.
• Trim the overhanging dough to 1 inch from the rim.
• Fold the excess dough over and press it into the side of the pan.
• Refrigerate for 20 minutes, or until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 400F.
• Line the chilled tart shell with foil and weigh down with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove foil and weights and bake 10 minutes longer, or until just set and golden.
• Transfer to a rack to cool completely; then remove the fluted rim and place the shell on a serving platter.
• Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, stir together the olives, anchovies and capers.
• Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the baked shell.
• Starting at the edge, layer the tomato slices in overlapping, concentric circles.
• Season generously with lots of freshly-ground black pepper and salt.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet.
• Add the garlic and stir, over medium-high heat, for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
• Add the zucchini, season with salt and pepper and stir until softened slightly, about 1 minute.
• Spoon the zucchini over the tomatoes and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
• Serve at room temperature.