By this point in the summer, most of us either have more zucchini and more basil than we know what to do with, or know someone desperately trying to unload some of their zucchini and basil on everyone they know.
Which is where this tart comes in. It's inspired by one of my favourite vegetarian pizzas and the overwhelming amount of enormous (and cheap!) zucchinis offered up by the farmers' market these past couple of weeks. I started by layering thinly sliced zucchini onto pesto-slathered puff pastry, then sprinkled the whole thing with tangy crumbled feta and shreds of fresh basil.
And I didn't use just any old feta, either. No sir, I used Lemon Fetish from Fifth Town, a Prince Edward County based cheesemaker that produces some downright addictive artisan cheeses.
This particular cheese is a creamy sheep's milk feta that's bathed in lemon juice, and then rolled in a lemon zest and red fife mixture to further infuse it with the levels of citrusy flavour needed to satisfy the most fanatical of lemon lovers, like me. It's a lovely partner for many summer vegetables, like beets, carrots, beans, cucumbers and (obviously) zucchini.
In fact, because I just can't get enough lemony freshness, I also decided to use lemon basil as the base for my pesto and again in the topping, and finish by sprinkling the tart with lemon zest. Sure, I might be a little obsessed with lemon, but at least I'll never have to worry about scurvy.
The end product of all these layers of summery ingredients is a fresh and flavourful tart that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Pair it up with a simple salad, some crusty bread and a dish of oil-cured black olives for a light summertime supper or a knock-their-socks-off brunch.
(Needless to say, if you're not lucky enough to live somewhere where Fifth Town cheeses are available, regular feta will do just fine.)
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Lemony Zucchini Tart
Description
Make the most of a bumper crop of zucchini with this easy summertime tart topped with pesto, thin-sliced zucchini, crumbled feta and ribbons of fresh basil.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (if frozen)
- ½ cup pesto
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 1 large zucchini, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp good-quality olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line a 9"x12" baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a clean surface lightly dusted with flour, roll out the puff pastry so that it's just slightly bigger than the prepared baking sheet. Carefully transfer onto the baking sheet, folding the edges back in to create a ½" border. Spread the pesto onto the pastry, leaving the border untouched.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together the zucchini slices with olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange the slices on top of the pesto layer, overlapping them slightly as you go. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and grated Parmesan.
- Lightly brush the edges of the tart with beaten egg. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden, and the zucchini are just starting to brown around the edges.
- Let cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving, adding a scattering of chopped basil and lemon zest at the last minute.
Kevin says
Great looking zucchini tart!
fortheloveofyum says
Delicious, I could sink into this right now! I adoreeeeee fifth town cheese, I even made the trip to Picton and went to visit them. Haven't tried their feta though, will pick it up soon!
I know what you mean about giving away basil and zucchini, growing up my parents would give tons to the neighbors and the neighbors would give us tons in return. hehe.
baking.serendipity says
There is definitely a lot of zucchini in my life right now, and this is the perfect recipe for it :) Looks delicious!
Rosy says
I love new recipes to use with my puff pastry. I wish my garden had yielded an over-abundance. But there is always next year.
Bren says
What a fabulous way to enjoy to fantastic green earthy foods! Love basil with lemon in any form, especially a martini. Your "pizza" looks divine!
Nice to meet you! :)
foodalution.com says
I love love love artisan cheeses. Am glad to hear someone else has a fetish for them - I should send you some of my friends amazing cheese from Blue Mont Dairy.. you would love it - tart is awesome...way to use zucchini~
One Pair Two Pear says
it seems our fridges are twins. will surely makes this to help use the extra basil we have - krsta
Isabelle says
Thanks, everyone! As a side note, my friend Farah tried a variation of this tart using heirloom tomatoes and goat cheese instead of zucchini and feta, and had nothing but nice things to say about it. So if you're tired of zucchini, there's an option for you. :)
Baking Barrister, the phyllo pocket idea sounds brilliant! Very mediterranean fusion.
FamilySpice says
Time to break out my mandolin! Beautiful tart- Pass me a slice!
Cookin' Canuck says
Your paper-thin slices of zucchini are perfect for this. What a great way to enjoy zucchini!
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
Absolutely THE most perfect summer tart! Never enough zucchini or Feta, far as I'm concerned :)
Baking Barrister says
It looks so good! I can see the ingredients making a great filling for some phyllo pockets as well.
Katelynn says
That looks so tasty! I love pretty much anything with a little lemon! Pretty pictures too, good job:)
Indie.Tea says
That looks delicious...I've been trying to come up with an idea for a lovely summer tart...yours looks just about right :)
A Thought For Food says
What a fantastic looking dish! And simple too! I love it!
I can't get enough zucchini and am so happy to have another way to use it.
Anna says
That's really pretty, loved the combination of pesto and zucchinis. Looks yummy.
Torviewtoronto says
lovely tarts
Pacheco Patty says
This does look really good, love all your fresh ingredients!
ravienomnoms says
This looks and sounds really good. Looks like a great summer treat!
Peggy says
this sounds soooo good! I'm sure I can scrounge up some zucchini this weekend just for this!