Whether you serve this versatile vegetable and cheese tart for a savory lunch or as a rich first course, Epicurious users agree: Make sure to cook the onions until they’re a caramelized brown. It takes time, but the sweet, tangy flavor is worth the effort. That said, if you’re looking for shortcuts, it’s easy to swap in puff pastry dough to save time making and baking the pie shell. Most of the recipe can be made in advance, and assembled and baked before serving.
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Fit the dough into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Freeze the shell 15 minutes.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake the shell in the middle of the oven until the edge is pale golden, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and weights and bake 10 minutes more, or until the bottom is golden. Leave oven on. Cool shell in pan on a rack.
Step 3
Halve the squash and scoop out the seeds. Lightly brush each cut side with about 1 teaspoon oil and roast the squash on a baking sheet, cut sides down, in the middle of the oven 40 minutes or until soft.
Step 4
While squash is roasting, thinly slice the onion and cook in a heavy skillet in 1/2 tablespoon butter and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Step 5
Cool the squash and scoop out the flesh. In a food processor, purée the squash. Add the whole egg, egg yolk, and cream and blend well. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the onion, cheeses, herbs, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour the filling into the shell, smoothing the top.
Step 6
In a small skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon butter and stir in the bread crumbs until combined well. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the filling. Bake the tart in the middle of the oven 40 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool the tart in the pan on a rack 10 minutes and then carefully remove rim. Serve.
