Description
A vibrant and flavorful Roast Vegetable Tart featuring thinly sliced zucchini, red bell pepper, eggplant, red onion, and cherry tomatoes atop a flaky puff pastry crust, enhanced with olive oil, herbs, goat cheese, and a balsamic glaze drizzle. This savory tart makes a perfect appetizer, light lunch, or elegant vegetarian dinner, combining the rich flavors of roasted vegetables with creamy cheese and crispy puff pastry.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Vegetables
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced thin
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
- 1 small eggplant, sliced thin
- 1 small red onion, sliced thin
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Seasoning and Toppings
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh)
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (optional for drizzling)
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing the pastry)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the vegetables and baking the tart simultaneously.
- Prepare Vegetables: Thinly slice zucchini, red bell pepper, eggplant, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Place all the sliced vegetables in a large bowl.
- Season Vegetables: Drizzle the vegetables with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and thyme over them. Toss gently to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Arrange Puff Pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, score a border about 1 inch from the edges, being careful not to cut all the way through to allow puffing.
- Layer Vegetables: Arrange the seasoned sliced vegetables evenly inside the scored border, slightly overlapping them for a beautiful presentation. Scatter halved cherry tomatoes distributed on top.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese or feta evenly over the arranged vegetables to add richness and tang.
- Brush Pastry: Lightly brush the egg wash (beaten egg) along the scored edges of the puff pastry to help it brown nicely during baking.
- Bake Tart: Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and crisp and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the tart from the oven. Drizzle balsamic glaze over the top if using. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley leaves for a fresh herbal aroma and appearance.
- Serve: Allow the tart to cool for a few minutes before slicing into 4 servings. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, omit the goat cheese and substitute with a vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
- Use fresh thyme if available for a brighter herbal flavor.
- Be sure to not cut through the puff pastry border when scoring to ensure proper puffing.
- Leftover tart can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated in the oven to keep the crust crisp.
- Optional balsamic glaze can be substituted with a simple balsamic vinegar reduction for extra tang.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
