Serving size: Serves 4-6
Cuisine type: Mediterranean
Cooking time: Less than 60 minutes
Course: Main

Because this tart is great at room temperature, it’s great for a picnic. Or serve it warm with a simple green salad for a lovely simple dinner or lunch. Zucchini (known as courgette in France and Britain) is a member of the squash family. Though available year-round, it’s best between September and December. Zucchini is a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C, potassium, manganese and essential amino acids.

INGREDIENTS

Serves: 4 to 6
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Equipment: 12cm x 35cm rectangular tart tin; baking paper; baking weights, dry rice or dried beans; frying pan;


2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed according to packet directions
2 tbsp olive oil
2 red onions, sliced thinly
3 zucchinis, cut into ribbons using a potato peeler
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
150g fetta
4 eggs, beaten lightly
100ml cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

1. Preheated oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced). Line tart tin with puff pastry, pressing it against the ridges of the tin so that it stays in place. (To join two sheets together, moisten edges with a little water and press together.) Trim any pastry rising above the top of the tin. Now place a sheet of baking paper over the pastry so that it covers the base and goes up the sides. Place some baking weights, dry rice or dried beans on the paper to weigh it down. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove baking paper and weights and cook for another 10 minutes. (This process is known as baking “blind” – it allows the base pastry to partially cook before you add a liquid filling.) Allow to cool but leave the oven on.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in frying pan, add onions and cook for 10 minutes until soft. Spoon onions over the bottom of the pastry case, top with zucchini and mint leaves, then crumble fetta over the top.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and cream and season with salt and pepper.

4. Pour egg mixture over tart filling and bake for another 20 minutes until just set.

5. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.