Tarts have their origin in 1550, about 2 centuries after the pies came into existence. One of the earliest tarts was the Italian crostata made in the mid-15th century, which was called a rustic-free form of an open fruit tart. These were considered a luxury and were popular among the noble class in medieval times. Now, the word tart, and what it means. It's a French word meaning pie or tart, both at the same time, with the distinguishing feature of the tarts being open pastries where fillings are poured into the baked pastries. Your passion for winter sweets is at an all-time high, yet many people are beginning to realise something. In the winter, one usually makes a lot of chocolate. That's not always a negative thing, but you should absolutely check out what's in season locally at this time of year. And what's more in season at the moment than an abundance of fresh berries and citrus-based fruits? These are the top wintry tart recipes that you may make at home, that not only smell delish but also taste amazing:
Gooseberry Custard Tarts
Gooseberries are small, tart berries that come in green, red, or purple varieties. Different varieties of gooseberries are found in various parts of India. They have a sharp, tangy flavour, but don’t worry, they will mellow with cooking. You can make a delicious variation of the custard tart with these gooseberries. For the gooseberry custard tarts, combine cooked gooseberries with a creamy custard filling in a pastry shell. The gooseberry will cut the sweetness of the tart with its tanginess, perfectly balancing flavours.
Cherry & Chocolate Tarts
When cherries are in season, they work as the most versatile ingredient for tarts. You can also pick sour cherries to make your tart. Their sharp, tangy flavour works with cream or custard, but it is best paired with rich, dark and decadent chocolate. The flavours of bitterness from the chocolate and tartness from the cherry create a beautiful balance on the palate. Choosing a sweet, smooth milk chocolate may also work well. In this case, the sweetness will counter the tartness of the cherry.
Image Credit: Pexels
Pineapple Tarts
Pineapple tart, also known as kue nastar in Indonesia, kueh tae or kuih tair in Malaysia, kuih tat nanas in Brunei, and kuih tat nanas in Singapore, is a small, bite-sized tart that is typically found throughout different countries of Southeast Asia. It's possible that the pineapple tart was created in the sixteenth century. Around this period, Portuguese traders introduced the pineapple, a South American fruit, to Asia and the Malay Peninsula. The pastry has a creamy, buttery, supple, and melt-in-your-mouth quality since it is mostly made of butter and egg yolk with a small amount of maize starch. A mixture of sugar and spices, typically cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, is caramelised to create the pineapple jam, which is typically made by slowly reducing fresh pineapple that has been grated.
Image Credit: Pexels
French Apple Tarts
Thе Frеnch applе tart, a culinary mastеrpiеcе, combinеs simplicity with sophistication. A dеlicatе layеr of buttеry, flaky pastry cradlеs thinly slicеd, prеcisеly arrangеd applеs. Thе fruit's natural swееtnеss harmonisеs with a subtlе hint of cinnamon, crеating a symphony of flavours. Thе tart undеrgoеs a mеticulous baking procеss, producing goldеn, caramеlizеd pеrfеction. This iconic dеssеrt cеlеbratеs Frеnch pastry еxpеrtisе, showcasing thе artistry and finеssе of classic Frеnch baking.
Also Read: 5 Fruit Tarts To Make At Home For The Weekend
Egg & Onions Tarts
Many people crave a simple-to-make and delicious meal to start their day off right. Skipping breakfast is often discouraged because it provides essential energy for the day ahead. Eggs are a popular breakfast food item, commonly found in pantries. Caramelised onion and egg tarts, which are set in crunchy cups, make a satisfying breakfast option for busy mornings.
Image Credit: Pexels
Classic Lemon Tarts
A classic lemon tart is a timeless favourite. With its buttery crust and tangy lemon filling, it’s both refreshing and indulgent. To prepare, combine lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream to create a smooth filling. Pour it into a pre-baked tart shell and bake until set. The bright flavour of lemons adds a touch of sophistication, making it perfect for a festive dessert. Baked artfully through 3 long hours of refrigeration, blind baking technique and easy dough and custard preparation, this lime tart is way more achievable than it appears.
Image Credit: Pexels
Spinach & Feta Tarts
For those who prefer savoury options, a spinach and feta tart is a great choice. The flaky crust holds a filling of sautéed spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and eggs, seasoned with garlic and nutmeg. Bake until the filling is set and the top is golden. This tart can be served warm or at room temperature, making it a versatile addition to your Christmas menu.