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–+ servings
A sheet pan with a zucchini tart cut into squares.
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Savory Gruyere and Zucchini Tart
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Chilling time
1 hr 30 mins
 
A rustic savory Gruyere and zucchini tart with a flaky Parmesan and black pepper crust, layers of cheese, tender zucchini, and fresh basil. Served as a main course or appetizer, this tart is delicious.
Recipe Type: Appetizer
Keyword: zucchini tart
Makes: 16 servings
Author: Elizabeth Stark
Ingredients
Dough
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 4 ounces about 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 16 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1/3 cup ice water, plus several more tablespoons as needed
Filling
  • 3 small to medium zucchini, trimmed and cut into even 1/8-inch thick rounds
  • Sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 4 ounces about 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere
  • Black pepper
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves, sliced into thin ribbons
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine the flour, sugar, salt, and pepper. Fold in the cheese. Add the butter. Use your fingertips to smash the butter into the flour until you have a shaggy mixture and almost all the butter has been smashed (this will take about 7 minutes). Drizzle in 1/3 cup water. Use a silicone spatula to fold the water into the flour mixture. If needed, add a few more tablespoons, or just enough water for the dough to hold together.
  2. Turn dough out and form into a rough disc. Wrap in plastic wrap – there's a lot of dough here, so you will likely need a few layers of plastic. Set in the fridge and chill 30 minutes.
  3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a 3/4-inch rectangle. Square the edges as best you can, and fold into quarters. Re-wrap, and chill 30 minutes more. Continue this process 2 - 3 more times.
  4. When ready to make the tart, prep the zucchini. Layer a cutting board with paper or cloth towels. Arrange the zucchini slices on top, sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and then add another layer of towels. Continue until all the zucchini are salted and covered in towels. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a 13 x 18-inch baking sheet with parchment.
  6. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a 15 x 20-inch rectangle. Set dough in baking sheet and chill until you're ready to assemble the tart.
  7. Meanwhile, set a small skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and then the shallots and red pepper flakes. Cook just until shallots are toasted, about 3 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the shallot and oil mixture with the Dijon.

  8. To assemble tart, spread a thin layer of the shallot-Dijon mixture over the tart, leaving a 2-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle with all but 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Layer the zucchini so that it is just overlapping (you want lots of room for the steam to escape!) and finish with black pepper. Brush the dough border with egg wash, fold up and crimp the corners closed, and finish with more egg wash.

  9. Bake 20 minutes, sprinkle the remaining cheese over top, and then back 10 - 15 minutes more, or until the zucchini are just golden on the edges and the crust is a deep golden brown.
  10. Set tart aside to cool for 10 minutes, sprinkle with basil, slice and serve.
  11. Tart is best served the day it's made, but will keep well covered at room temperature for a day.