CROSTATA, a pastry tart filled with jam, custard or ricotta is is found in all bakeries here in Umbria and prepared frequently at home. The home version is definitely better than the bought one. The secret is a high proportion of real butter in the dough – not margarine! – and homemade jam.
Umbrians love their crostata, their mums always make the best. Sometimes they might even acknowledge that their wife makes a decent one. Any garden party will display at least 4 or 5 of these tarts. The competition among the local ladies is ruthless. Opinions are vigorously split among those who prefer more crust and just a dab of jam, those who want hardly any crust and only eat the jam, and everything in between. My recipe has a thin crunchy base and a thin layer of jam. With this version I have won a few followers. I guess it’s a good sign.
Recipe
For pastry dough:
- 125 gr cold unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 250 gr 00 flour or pastry flour (2 1/2 cups) not self-rising
- 125 gr (1/2 cup) sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups fruit preserves
To make the pastry dough, cut the butter into 6-8 cubes and place in the bowl of a food processor together with the flour, sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Using the blade at high speed, blend until most of the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 2 minutes. Stir in the egg and blend until the mixture forms a dough, one more minute. It is important not to overheat the butter in the dough, so do not overwork.
Roll the dough into a 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) thin disk and transfer into a 10 inch ( 25 cm) buttered tart pan so to make a case with shallow side. Spread a 1 cm (1/2 inch) layer of preserves over the pastry case. If you do not have homemade jam, make sure to find fine quality jam, with a high content of fruit.
With lightly floured hands roll the rest of dough into several 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick ropes. Carefully arrange the dough ropes over the tart in an open lattice pattern. It is not necessary to weave the lattice. Transfer in the refrigerator for at least 1/2 an hour and up to half a day. Up to this point the crostata can be frozen. Before using, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and bake.
Preheat oven to 180° C/ 350° F. Bake the crostata in middle of the oven 45 minutes, or until the lattice is golden. Cool the crostata in the pan on a rack.
Serves 8
looks so goooooood!
thanks
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Thank you recipe man, nice blog!
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This smells so good. Yes, I can smell it.
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yes indeed, it smells like September ripe figs baked in butter…..
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Very interesting — I haven’t seen many Italian recipes that actually call for butter (not that I’m an expert, of course!)
I never order dessert in Italy, usually I stroll after dinner and perhaps get a gelato. But the next time I see crostata on the menu, I must give it a try!
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Ciao Sandra, I am a strong supporter of butter in cakes and tarts. Of course it is not good for you, but it’s very good for the soul. I really hope you can try the first crostata here and may be I can convince you to make it!
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I shouldn’t look at this when I’m hungry! wonderful!
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Kathy this is a wonderful excuse to use that jar of homemade jam in your cupboard. I am sure you have one!
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Dear MDP
I had a delicious jam crostata in Umbria, near Trevi.
The crust was made with olive oil, v tasty with a soft crumb. Have you even done that?
Mary
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Hi Mary, thanks for visiting!
I have never made a crostata with olive oil instead of butter but I guess you could just use my recipe and substitute the butter with a delicate extra virgin. In the summer I don’t have a lot of time for experiments but if you try please let me know how it works.
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I’ve just made and eaten up (all gone) the crostata base with a fresh strawberry & fresh ricotta and fresh mint filling! It was fabulous!
Thank you Leti!
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prego Gis, I know you can always improve my recipes!
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Never improve them Leti – never!!
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🙂
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Im just about to make my first crostata ever, with ricotta, and raspberry or apricot conserve. I fear the biggest problem will be battling to leave enough for my family.
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Here I go… About to make my first ever crostata and conquer my fear of making pastry. I can make Greek filo no problem any time, but other pastries – never! I will use apricot conserve for the filling. I’m sure your recipe will be a success
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Heather this is really an easy one. Just don’t overwork it in the food processor and make sure to cool it in the fridge at least 30 min. before baking. Lovely with apricot conserve!
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David is making your crostata for Christmas Eve dinner tonight filled with blueberry jam.Grazie Letizia e Buon natale!
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Hi Cathy, how wonderful, thank you so much for letting me know!
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