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Vegetarian, Classics and bistro fare

Zucchini and Goat Cheese Tart with Salad

This zucchini and goat cheese tart is a puff pastry tart topped with zucchini ribbons and fresh goat cheese, serving 4, ready in 35 minutes, very easy, at €2.30 per person. The key to success is slicing the zucchini very thin so it cooks in exactly the same time as the pastry, without ever making it soggy.

A sheet of puff pastry, zucchini ribbons, fresh goat cheese, and dinner is ready before you even have time to get bored.

Zucchini and Goat Cheese Tart with Salad
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
430 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

This tart plays on the contrast between crisp puff pastry and tender zucchini ribbons, barely marked by the oven. Fresh goat cheese adds a touch of tang, the drizzle of honey softens the whole thing, and the thyme brings that summery smell you instantly associate with a garden or a farmers market.

It's the kind of tart you can make on a weeknight without thinking twice, light, quick, and happily accepted even by kids who usually push vegetables around their plate. It also works well on a Sunday table, cut into small slices as a starter, or as a main course with a simple green salad.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Puff pastry sheets 2
  • Fresh goat cheese 150 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Zucchini 3
  • Green salad 1

Pantry

  • Mustardoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Honeyoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Cider vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Thymeoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Unroll the pastry sheets onto two baking sheets and prick them with a fork, leaving a clean border.

    Keep the original parchment paper, it goes straight onto the tray.

  2. Spread the mustard over the center of the pastry, then the fresh goat cheese mashed with a fork.

    The mustard protects the pastry from the moisture released by the vegetables.

  3. Slice the zucchini into thin rounds and arrange them overlapping, then drizzle with olive oil, honey, thyme, salt and pepper.

    A touch of honey adds a hint of sweetness that makes the goat cheese pop.

  4. Bake at 200°C until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. 25 min

    Watch the edges, they brown much faster than the center.

  5. Dress the salad with olive oil, vinegar and salt, and serve alongside the warm tart.

    Cut the tart with a pizza wheel, it gives cleaner slices than a knife.

Our tips to get it right

  • Salt the zucchini rounds right before baking, not earlier, otherwise they release water and make the pastry soggy.
  • Pick a creamy fresh goat cheese rather than a dry log, it mashes more easily with a fork and spreads more evenly.
  • If you're using two baking sheets, swap their positions halfway through baking so both tarts brown evenly.

The variations

  • Swap the fresh goat cheese for ricotta or plain cream cheese for a milder version.
  • Add halved cherry tomatoes between the zucchini rounds for more color and juiciness.
  • For kids, sprinkle a little shredded Gruyère over the goat cheese before adding the zucchini, it melts and makes the tart feel more familiar.

What to serve it with

  • Simple green salad
  • Glass of fresh apple juice
  • Cold cucumber soup to start

Storage

The tart keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Reheat it for a few minutes in the oven to bring back the crispness, the microwave will make it soggy. Freezing isn't recommended, the puff pastry loses its crunch once thawed.

Questions about this dish

Can you prepare the tart ahead of time?

You can prep the topping and slice the zucchini a few hours ahead, but assemble the tart right before baking. Topping the pastry too early can make it go soggy from the moisture in the vegetables.

Can you use shortcrust pastry instead of puff pastry?

Yes, shortcrust works well too and gives a firmer bite. The baking time stays about the same, just keep an eye on the color.

How do you keep the tart from getting soggy?

The layer of mustard under the goat cheese creates a barrier against the moisture from the zucchini, don't skip it. Slicing the zucchini very thin also helps, since it releases much less water while baking.

Can you use a different cheese instead of goat cheese?

Crumbled feta or a plain cream cheese work well if goat cheese isn't a hit with everyone at the table. The flavor will be a bit milder but the texture stays close to the original.

How long does it take to make a zucchini and goat cheese tart with a salad?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a zucchini and goat cheese tart with a salad?

About 430 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a zucchini and goat cheese tart with a salad cost?

About €2.30 per serving, or €9.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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