Recipe

Cavolo Nero and Ricotta Tart

Recipe
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Photo by thirschfeld

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Late Winter Tart (Sweet or Savory)
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thirschfeld's Notes: This tart is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner or, maybe, even all three on the same day. Cavolo nero is also known as Lacinato or dinosaur kale. It is becoming ever more popular not...
This tart is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner or, maybe, even all three on the same day. Cavolo nero is also known as Lacinato or dinosaur kale. It is becoming ever more popular not only for its great taste but for its presumed health benefits too. The crust for this tart uses the idea of a shortbread crust to keep it tender while using whole wheat pastry and buckwheat flours. I like to serve the tart with a fruit salad of grapefruit supremes, toasted crushed hazelnuts and mint. While this has many healthy components they are just a nice side benefit to the decadence of this wonderful tart.

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Serves 6 to 8

For the crust::

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup buckwheat flour Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened Ask a question about this ingredient

two finger pinch of salt Ask a question about this ingredient

For the filling:

1 bunch Cavolo nero, chopped, rinsed and dried, 8 loose cups worth Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup yellow onion, peeled, small dice Ask a question about this ingredient

2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced Ask a question about this ingredient

3 anchovy filets, minced Ask a question about this ingredient

1 1/4 cup whole milk ricotta Ask a question about this ingredient

3 large eggs Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon olive oil Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon unsalted butter Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup water Ask a question about this ingredient

kosher salt and fresh ground pepper Ask a question about this ingredient

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
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Place the whole wheat pastry flour, buckwheat, parmesan, butter and salt into a large mixing bowl and stir it with a wooden spoon until it looks like a combination of cous cous and cornmeal. You may need to rub some of the bigger pieces between you hands to break up the butter.
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Dump the crumbs into an 8 inch tart pan. Starting at the edges press the crumbs into the flutes. Use you index finger as a back stop by placing it at the top of the flute and pushing the flour up to it. Pack the crust tightly and evenly. Once you have finished the crust bake it in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove it from the oven.
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While the crust is baking heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat in a 12 inch saute pan. Add the onions, anchovies and garlic. Season them with a little salt and fresh ground pepper. Saute them gently without coloring and until they are soft. You may need to adjust the heat and you will want to stir them to keep them from coloring.
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Once the onions are soft add the Cavolo nero and toss and stir it to coat it with oil. Season again with a little salt and fresh ground pepper. Add the water and cover the pan. Let the Cavolo nero steam until tender but still vibrant in color, about 8 minutes over medium heat.
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In a large mixing bowl combine the ricotta, parmesan and the eggs. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of pepper and stir to combine.
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Once the Cavolo nero is tender taste it and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Make sure all the water has simmered away from the Cavolo nero, you don't want it to be to wet. Let it cool for a couple of minutes and then add it to the ricotta and stir it well to combine.
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Carefully spoon the filling into the tart and smooth and level it out. Place the tart into the oven and bake it for 50 to 60 minutes or until set and nicely browned.
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When the top has browned remove the tart from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before cutting. Serve at room temperature.
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27 Comments on Cavolo Nero and Ricotta Tart

AntoniaJames added 6 months ago

Made this again last night . . . . no buckwheat flour in the cupboard, so I used half barley and half AP. Subbed pecorino romano and a hard Spanish sheep's milk cheese for the parmesan. Used Jennifer Perillo's homemade ricotta (made a few minutes before!!) Required only 45 minutes to cook. Let it rest for ten minutes, and served it warm for dinner with roasted butternut squash and lightly sauteed, unsweetened Fuji apple slices. Perfect fall dinner!! ;o)

thirschfeld added 6 months ago

The squash and apples sound great AJ. I've been busy lately and haven't been around much. I was just saying to the Mrs. I need to make this soon, then your message popped up. Guess it is time.

arielleclementine added 9 months ago

we had this for dinner tonight (with your recommended grapefruit salad on the side) - wonderful! lovely tart with an especially lovely crust! thanks for the recipe :)

thirschfeld added 9 months ago

Thank you arielleclementine so glad you enjoyed it . I was just thinking about the tart the other day and can't wait for my kale from the garden to be ready.

Jaynerly added about 1 year ago

This sounds so good! I will be growing Cavalo Nero this summer, cant wait to use it in this tart!

ChezSuzanne added about 1 year ago

I've yet to try buckwheat in bread or crusts, and can see I need to correct this oversight! I love this recipe!

AntoniaJames added about 1 year ago

On the menu tomorrow . . . don't have any buckwheat and current pace of client work means no time to shop, either, so will probably substitute 1/2 barley and 1/2 pumpernickel (rough rye). I am so looking forward to this. And I know the family is going to love it. Will buy buckwheat next time I go to The Food Mill. Very tricky to use, though, as I suspect you're figuring out. ;o)