There’s a joke at our house that a rustic tart is just a lazy version of pie. It doesn’t require a pie dish, the rolling and crimping process is fairly laid back, and perfect slices don’t require surgical precision.
But lazy aspects aside, the beauty of a rustic tart is that it really showcases the crust. Sometimes bakers shortchange a pie crust to focus on a good filling, but with a rustic tart the crust to filling ratio is so high there’s no room for compromise. You need a good buttery crust and a fresh fruit filling.
This crust made with a 100% butter, pastry flour (I’ve been using Bob’s Red Mill lately) and the last of the season’s blueberries. Served with a dollop of freshly whipped creamy, it’s the perfect summer dessert and gives you a head start practicing your crust making skills for fall, when you can fill the rustic tart with apples or pears.
This recipe makes enough for two medium size crusts and one filling, so you can make all the crust, freeze half of it. Each tart will serve about 4.
Recipe
Blueberry Crostata aka Rustic Tart
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups 5.8 oz pastry flour (all-purpose okay) (165 grams)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter, best quality
- 4-6 tablespoons of ice cold water or as needed I often need more
Filling:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sugar plus extra for crust
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- lightly beaten egg
- Sparkly or coarse sugar optional
Instructions
- Mix the flour, sugar and salt very well in a large mixing bowl. Cut the butter into small bits and scatter over the flour mixture. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, lightly work the mixture into a coarse meal.
- Add about 3 tablespoons of water and mix with a spoon or heavy duty scraper. Keep adding water until flour mixture holds together when you pinch it with your fingers.
- Dump the mixture onto a big sheet of plastic wrap and press it all together. It shouldn’t crumble at this point.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to roll, divide in half and bring the half you plan to use to room temperature.
- On a floured surface, roll one section of dough into an 8 inch circle.
- Transfer circle to a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Mix the sugar and cornstarch together in a small cup. Put the blueberries in a mixing bowl and toss berries with sugar mixture. Stir in lemon zest and juice.
- Spoon the berries into the center of the dough leaving about a 2 inch border.
- Fold border up to make a crust (see photo).
- Brush the crust edge with lightly beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake 20-22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for about a half hour.
Katrina
I agree with Darlene (well written post). And that the crust is so important. Drives me crazy to see on cooking shows when they use store bought crust and say that is okay. No it’s not. 😉 I do think with tarts/galettes the filling is showcased just as much as the crust. Looks great. I need to find/perfect a good gf crust.
Darlene
Although I usually comment on the appearance of your dessert (and this tart does look beautiful), your accurate description of a pie crust’s pivotal role in the success of a rustic tart is so well-written it has made me pause to reflect on your words. Thank you for this lesson. Truly excellent post Anna!