Italian tarts, such as the crostata and tart cane, are versatile desserts that can be made with a variety of fruit fillings and crusts. They can be served open-faced or with a top crust, and can be garnished with whipped cream, fruit, or ice cream. Recipes can be found online or in Italian cookbooks.
When it comes to a savory combination of cream or fruit filling wrapped in a crunchy pastry, the tart is a clear winner. As a form of tart that originates from Italy, tart cane is meant to be prepared with a variety of fruit fillings and made into any size desired by the cook. That means the tart can serve as a bite-sized accompaniment to a freshly made sherbet or take center stage as a dessert plate-sized Italian pie topped with a frosting.
Crostatas have the status of the first Italian pastry. As the tart can be made with virtually any type of fruit filling, the pastry can be made with seasonal fruit, as well as any range of homemade preserves and even with store-bought fruit preserves and jams. The fact that the tart can be prepared as an open-faced dessert or be topped with a top crust allows this Italian pastry to easily adapt to all sorts of occasions.
One of the distinctive things about these Italian tarts is the crust. Tart dough, referred to as shortcrust pastry, is rolled and flattened to form the bottom crust. For larger tarts, it’s perfectly acceptable to use a pie pan. The fruit or cheese filling is prepared and spread into the crust. At this stage, the filling can also be covered with a top crust. One way is to make a simple firm crust, with a couple of vents to allow steam to escape as it cooks. Another approach is to make a lattice work top crust, which adds visual interest to the tart. There is also the option of leaving the upper crust off completely.
The outside of the baked tart can be served plain, allowing these Italian tarts to stand on their own as a savory dessert. For fruit tarts that are left open, add a dollop of whipped cream just before serving. Open-faced tarts filled with cream or cheese could be enhanced with the addition of some fruit, such as pineapple chunks. Likewise, solid or latex-coated tart can be served without garnishes or with fruit toppings, whipped cream, or even ice cream.
Relatively easy to make and great for a family dessert or party treat, tart is a versatile dessert option that lends itself well to whatever fillings are available. Recipes for various types of tarts can be found in several recipe websites on the Internet, as well as in cookbooks dedicated to Italian cuisine.
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