Zucchini (Courgette) and Tomato Pastry
Cooking time: 45 minutes for menu Cooking schedule: see below for instructions
This is a cross between a pizza and a tart, and is both quicker and lighter than home-made pizza. The only (minor) problem is that the zucchini can give off a lot of liquid when cooked. Immediately after taking it out of the oven I cut a tiny slit in the edge of the crust, and tilted the pan, slightly, over the sink, to let the liquid drain off. That fixed the problem... But don't let the tart slip off!
And do what I say, not what I do... I forgot to score around the edge so my edges are not pretty....
Zucchini (Courgette) and Tomato Pastry
Total time: 45 minutes
Using puff pastry rather than a traditional pizza crust gives a much lighter aspect to this, late-summer pastry. Cut everything very thinly, with a knife or food processor, 1/16th inch (.3cm), and don't be too generous with the cheese. Scoring a line around the edge of the pastry will help it puff up.
Ingredients:
- 1 red onion
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 courgette (zucchini), medium, 7 - 8 inches (20cm) you may not use it all...
- 2 tomatoes
- 6oz (180gr) deli or baked ham or smoked turkey, sliced thinly like for a sandwich, not paper thin
- 3oz (90gr) shredded cheese
- 2 tbs Parmesan
- 1 sheet puff pastry
Instructions:
- Lay the puff pastry out on a baking sheet.
- With a dull knife (butter knife) lightly score a line around the pastry, 1/2" (1.25cm) from the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through. If your pastry is frozen you may have to wait until it thaws a bit.
- Chop onion.
- In a medium skillet sauté onion in oil until tender, about 7 minutes.
- Add thyme and stir to combine.
- Remove from heat until needed.
- Thinly slice zucchini
- Thinly slice tomatoes, about 1/16th" (.3cm). You should get 8 - 10 slices from each tomato.
- Cut the ham into strips.
To assemble:
- Spread the onion on the puff pastry, staying inside the scored line.
- Lay the zucchini slices on top in 2, slightly overlapping circles.
- Spread the ham on top of the zucchini.
- Lay the tomatoes on top of the ham, touching, but not overlapping.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese and Parmesan.
- Bake, 420F (210C) until edges of the crust are golden and vegetables are tender, 25 - 35 minutes.
- Remove.
- If zucchini has given off much liquid, score a slit in the edge and tilt slightly to drain.
- Cut into wedges and serve.
Cooking Schedule: 45 minutes
Assemble all ingredients and utensils
Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives,
medium skillet, baking sheet
Turn oven on, 420F (210C)
Chop onions, sauté
Lay out puff pastry, score
Slice zucchini
Slice tomato
Cut ham |
Grate Parmesan
Add thyme to onions, stir
Spread onions, thyme on pastry
Arrange zucchini on onions
Lay ham on zucchini
Arrange tomatoes on ham
Sprinkle with cheeses, bake
25 minute break
Remove, drain if needed
Slice and serve |