Zucchini Torte Recipes

TOMATO ZUCCHINI TART

Steps:

• Prepare and Chill Tart Dough: Combine the flour and salt in bowl of a food processor. Meanwhile, cut up cold butter into cubes and place in separate bowl. Place both bowls in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to chill.
• Remove the butter and flour mixture from freezer. Add chilled butter to the flour mixture, and using the blade attachment, pulse several times or until the butter is roughly the size of peas and distributed evenly throughout the flour mixture.
• Add 2 tablespoons of ice water and pulse several times. Continue to add water (pulsing a few times) until dough just comes together. Depending on moisture and humidity levels, the amount of water that you may need will change.
• Remove dough to a lightly floured countertop and press together with hands. Press into a thick disc, cover tightly in plastic wrap, and allow to chill in fridge for at least 1 to 2 hours (or prepare the day before and chill overnight).
• Blind Bake Tart Dough: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) with a rack in the center position. Set aside a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• After dough has chilled, remove the dough from fridge and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Lightly flour a work surface and using rolling pin, roll the dough into a 12 to 13-inch diameter disc, rotating the dough continuously as you go to prevent sticking. Gently fold into quarters and transfer to the tart pan. Carefully press the dough into the sides and corners, without stretching, and roll the rolling pin over top of the pan to trim and remove excess dough. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for another 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove and line tart dough with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the beans and parchment and if bottom still does not look completely dry, bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, checking regularly. Allow crust to cool on rack while you prepare the filling ingredients.
• Prepare Filling and Assemble Tart: Combine the minced garlic, finely chopped basil, and olive oil in a small bowl. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Using a mandolin (or sharp knife), slice the zucchini into ⅛-inch round slices and lightly season with salt. Using serrated knife, slice the tomatoes into ¼-inch slices, season lightly on both sides with salt, and place on a layer of paper towels to soak up any excess moisture. Set aside.
• Brush tart shell lightly with basil-garlic oil (there should be leftovers for brushing the vegetables) and distribute the parmesan cheese evenly on top of the oil mixture. Blot the zucchini and tomato slices once again to absorb any excess moisture.
• Starting on the outside edge, layer the zucchini and tomato slices alternately in a circular pattern. Be sure to tightly layer them against each other (as they will shrink once baked). Try to leave the bigger slices for the outside and small slices for the inner circles. Continue until the entire tart shell is filled - you should have two circular rings and can chop up various small pieces of vegetables to fill any center empty space.
• Brush the vegetables generously with remaining basil-garlic oil and season very lightly with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the tomatoes and zucchini are soft and lightly caramelized. Optional (but recommended): Place under the oven broil for 2 to 3 minutes to finish. Watch carefully during this step to avoid burning the crust or vegetables.
• Serve the tart warm or preferably at room temperature. Garnish with basil leaves and a sprinkle of flaky salt, such as Maldon.

LAYERED VEGETABLE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Put a grill pan over medium-high heat, or prepare a grill; the heat should be medium-high, and the rack about 4 inches from flame. Brush eggplant, zucchini and mushrooms lightly with half the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; if roasting, grease 2 baking sheets with oil. Roast or grill vegetables on both sides until soft.
• Coat bottom and sides of 8-inch springform pan with oil. Layer a third of the eggplant slices into bottom of the pan, then layer in half the zucchini, mushrooms, tomato, garlic and basil, sprinkling each layer with a bit of salt and pepper. Repeat layers until all vegetable are used. Press the top with a spatula or spoon to make the torte as compact as possible. Sprinkle top with Parmesan and bread crumbs, and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon oil.
• Bake torte in oven until hot throughout and browned on top, about 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before removing outer ring of pan, then let cool for another 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

ZUCCHINI TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Top and tail the zucchini, then slice them thinly.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan.
• Add the zucchini and cook for a few minutes, turning them over at least once, until they are soft and beginning to brown.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a bowl.
• Slice the onion and add it to the oil remaining in the pan, with most of the jalapeño strips, reserving some for the garnish.
• Fry until the onions have softened and are golden.
• Using a slotted spoon, add the onions and jalapeños to the zucchini.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the self raising flour, cheese and cayenne.
• Mix well, then stir in the zucchini mixture, with salt to taste.
• Grease a 9-inch round shallow ovenproof dish with the butter.
• Pour in the zucchini mixture and bake for 30 minutes until risen, firm to the touch and golden.
• Allow to cool.
• Serve the zucchini torte in thick wedges, garnished with the remaining jalapeño strips.
• A tomato salad, sprinkled with chives, makes a colourful accompaniment.

ZUCCHINI RICE TORTE

Steps:

• for the crust:.
• Using a food processor or mixing by hand in a large bowl, combine the flours, salt and fennel seed.
• Add the butter and cheese and work into flour, mixing well until the dough forms a solid ball.
• Press dough in an even layer on the bottom and one inch up the sides of an 8 to 9-inch springform pan.
• for the filling:.
• In a large sauté pan, cook the bacon until crisp.
• Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.
• Crumble bacon into small pieces and set aside.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings and return pan to heat.
• Add zucchini, onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until tender (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
• Remove zucchini mixture from pan and allow to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Beat eggs in a large bowl.
• Add buttermilk, and remaining ingredients.
• Mix well and pour mixture into the pastry shell.
• Smooth the top with a flat spatula and bake for 55 minutes, or until golden brown and set (a knife inserted in the center comes out clean).
• Let stand at least 15 minutes, then loosen the edges by running a knife between the crust and the pan, and remove sides of the pan.
• Cut into wedges and serve warm or cold.
• serve with hot sauce-optional.

PROVENçAL ZUCCHINI AND SWISS CHARD TART

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you stem the greens, and wash them thoroughly in several rinses of water. If the ribs are wide, wash and dice them, then set aside. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water reaches a rolling boil, add a generous amount of salt and the chard leaves. Blanch for one minute, until just tender. Using a slotted spoon or deep-fry skimmer, transfer to the ice water, then drain. Squeeze out excess water and chop. Set aside.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet, and add the onion and diced chard stems, if using. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Stir in the zucchini. Season to taste with salt, and cook, stirring, until just tender and still bright green, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, thyme and rosemary, and cook with the zucchini and onion until the garlic is fragrant, about one or two minutes. Stir in the greens, toss everything together, and remove from the heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste), the zucchini mixture, and the Gruyère. Mix everything together, add pepper, taste once more and adjust seasoning.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 10-inch tart pan. Roll out two-thirds of the dough and line the pan, with the edges of the dough overhanging. Freeze the remaining dough. Fill the lined pan with the zucchini mixture. Pinch the edges of the dough along the rim of the pan. Place in the oven and bake 50 minutes, until set and beginning to color. Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving (preferably longer). This can also be served at room temperature.

EGGPLANT, ZUCCHINI, RED PEPPER, AND PARMESAN TORTE

Steps:

• Halve onions through root end and thinly slice. Finely chop garlic. In a large heavy skillet cook onions with salt to taste in 2 tablespoons oil, covered, over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until any liquid onions give off is evaporated. Add tomatoes with juice, sage, and thyme and simmer, stirring occasionally, until excess liquid is evaporated and mixture is very thick. Season mixture with salt and pepper and cool. Preheat oven to 450°F. Brush at least 2 shallow baking pans with some remaining oil.
• Cut eggplants crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick rounds and arrange in one layer in baking pans. Brush eggplant slices with some remaining oil and roast in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of pans halfway through roasting time, until tender and golden, about 20 minutes. Cool eggplant 5 minutes and transfer with a slotted spatula to paper towels to drain.
• Cut zucchini lengthwise into 1/3-inch-thick slices and roast in same manner until tender and pale golden, about 25 minutes. Cool zucchini 5 minutes and transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Quarter bell peppers lengthwise and discard stems, seeds, and ribs. Arrange peppers, skin sides up, in oiled baking pans and brush with some remaining oil. Roast peppers in same manner until tender and lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Cool peppers 5 minutes and transfer to paper towels to drain.
• In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart heavy saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat and whisk in flour. Cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes and whisk in milk and cream. Bring mixture to a boil, whisking, and simmer, whisking occasionally, 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and cool sauce 5 minutes. Whisk in eggs, two thirds Parmigiano-Reggiano, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. and lightly oil a 14- x 10- x 2 1/2-inch or other 3 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. In baking dish arrange half of eggplant, overlapping slices to form an even layer, and season with salt and pepper. Top eggplant with half of tomato mixture, spreading evenly, and pour about one third Parmigiano-Reggiano custard over it. Nestle half of zucchini in custard and season with salt and pepper. Top zucchini with half of peppers. Repeat layering, reserving half of remaining custard for topping. Pour reserved custard over final layer of peppers and sprinkle with remaining grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Bake torte in middle of oven until custard is puffed and golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let torte stand 10 minutes before serving.