Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart Recipe

When you’re craving a bit of sunshine on a plate, this Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart is my go-to recipe; it’s like a farmers’ market wrapped in flaky, golden puff pastry!

I adore making adaptable and delightful dishes that showcase the finest of in-season fruits and vegetables. My Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart is built on a buttery, flaky base of puff pastry.

The crust is enriched with the flavor of olive oil, and the filling—comprised of zucchini, red bell pepper, and yellow onion—tastes like summer in a bite. The tart is topped with crumbled goat cheese and a hint of thyme; it’s a delectable choice for a Meatless Monday and a way to pack more in-season produce into your diet.

Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart Recipe Ingredients

• Puff Pastry: Buttery base adds flakiness, carbs; enhances tart texture.
• Zucchini: Low-calorie, water-rich; offers fiber and vitamins A, C.
• Red Bell Pepper: Sweet, vitamin C-rich; provides antioxidants and color.
• Yellow Onion: Adds natural sweetness; contains fiber, vitamin C.
• Garlic: Adds bold flavor; offers allicin with potential health benefits.
• Olive Oil: Healthy fat source; enhances flavor, aids in caramelization.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy; delivers protein, calcium, divine taste.
• Thyme: Herbaceous note; complements vegetables, offers antioxidants.

Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

How to Make this Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart Recipe

1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to warm up and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.

2. In a big skillet, pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil and warm up at medium heat. Toss in the zucchini, red bell pepper, and yellow onion—all sliced—and cook the trio for approximately 8-10 minutes. Your goal is to soften them and to get them to the point where they are just starting to caramelize.

3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 2 more minutes. When the 2 minutes of cooking the garlic are up, add a pinch of salt, a few grinds of black pepper, and some fresh thyme leaves to the skillet. Stir to combine the lovely smells and flavors in the skillet, then remove from heat and let it cool. Why? So you don’t burn your mouth while trying to eat it.

4. On a surface dusted with flour, roll out the thawed puff pastry to a square measuring 12×12 inches. Place the puff pastry on the prepared baking sheet.

5. Spread evenly the mixture of caramelized vegetables over the puff pastry. Leave a border of 1 inch around the edges.

6. Sprinkle the goat cheese, crumbled, over the top of the vegetables.

7. Create a tart from puff pastry. The tart shell borders are made by folding over the edges and pressing them with a fork until they stick. This makes for a prettier and more functional tart that can house all manner of sweet or savory fillings.

8. The edges of the pastry should be brushed with beaten egg so that they will have a golden finish when baked.

* Beaten egg is the only ingredient used to brush the edges.
* The egg should be brushed onto the edges only, not the surface of the pastry.
* “Edges” is understood to refer to all outside surfaces of the pastry that are folded or rolled inward.
* “Golden finish” is a common expression that one might encounter in a baking recipe. It means that the pastry will be baked to a stage at which the edges will be browned (golden, as opposed to any other color that one might coin).

9. Cook the tart in the warmed oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and puffed.

10. Take the tart out of the oven, allow it to cool for a few minutes, cut it into slices, and serve it warm. Enjoy your Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart!

Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Skillet
5. Measuring spoons
6. Knife
7. Cutting board
8. Wooden spoon or spatula
9. Rolling pin
10. Pastry brush
11. Fork
12. Small bowl (for beaten egg)
13. Flour (for dusting surface)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use store-bought puff pastry for this tart?A: Yes, conveniently, you can use store-bought puff pastry for this recipe. It works perfectly.
• Q: Can I prepare this tart in advance?A: The vegetable filling can be prepped in advance, but it’s best to put the tart together right before baking it to keep the puff pastry as crisp as can be.
• Q: What alternative cheese can I use if I don’t have goat cheese?Feta or ricotta cheese would be good substitutes for goat cheese.
• Q: Can I make this tart vegan?A: Yes. Use a vegan puff pastry, a vegan cheese option in place of the goat cheese, and skip the egg wash.
• Q: How do I prevent the puff pastry from becoming soggy?A: See to it that the vegetables are very well caramelized and not at all soggy before they go on the pastry. Also, underload the pastry with toppings. It is better to go slight than hefty.
• Q: What can I serve with this tart?A small salad or a clear soup makes a nice complement to the tart for a light but complete dinner.

Caramelized Summer Vegetable Tart Recipe Substitutions and Variations

To make the puff pastry: Use phyllo dough or a homemade tart crust.
To replace the zucchini: Use thinly sliced yellow squash or eggplant.
If red bell peppers are unavailable for these two recipes, you can substitute them with orange or yellow bell peppers.
As substitutes for goat cheese, use either feta cheese or ricotta cheese.
For fresh thyme leaves: Exchange them with dried thyme or use fresh oregano.

Pro Tips

1. Even Cooking Make sure all vegetables are sliced uniformly to ensure they cook evenly. This is especially important for achieving that slight caramelization without overcooking some pieces.

2. Drain Excess Moisture After cooking the vegetables, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. This will prevent the puff pastry from becoming soggy from the vegetable juices.

3. Chill the Pastry Before Baking After assembling the tart, try placing it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before baking. Chilled puff pastry puffs more distinctively and results in flakier layers.

4. Customize Your Cheese For a variation, you can replace goat cheese with feta or ricotta, depending on your taste preferences. Each offers a unique flavor profile, complementing the roasted vegetables.

5. Herb Enhancement Consider adding a hint of lemon zest or a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley just before serving. This will enhance the fresh flavors and add brightness to the tart.