Courgette Ricotta Tart Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat half the olive oil in a frying pan. Sizzle the courgettes for 5 mins until golden around the edges, then set aside. In a bowl, beat the ricotta with the eggs, basil, nutmeg, half the Parmesan and the garlic. Set aside.
• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a rough round about 40cm wide, then transfer to a baking tray. Spread the pastry with the ricotta mix, leaving a 4cm border. Press the courgette slices into the ricotta, then scatter over the pine nuts and remaining Parmesan.
• Bring the sides up over the edge of the ricotta, pinch to encase the filling, then bake for 30 mins until the filling is puffed up and golden. Leave to cool slightly and enjoy warm or cold with a crisp green salad.

Steps:

• Line a bowl with a clean cloth and add the courgette with a pinch of salt. Set aside for 30 mins, then use the cloth to squeeze out the excess liquid. Tip the courgette into a bowl with the ricotta, lemon zest, eggs and parmesan, then stir to combine. Fold in the flour and some seasoning.
• Stir the yogurt and harissa together in a small bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and spoon in six mounds of the courgette mixture. Cook over a medium heat for 3-4 mins each side until golden brown. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 10 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat your grill to high, then cook the pancetta, if using, for 2-3 mins on each side until crisp.
• Bring a pan of water to the boil. Drizzle a little of the vinegar into a ramekin and crack an egg into it. Swirl the water in the pan with a wooden spoon to create a whirlpool in the middle, then gently tip the egg into it and simmer for 3 mins. Repeat with the second egg. Serve three fritters stacked on each plate, topped with an egg and three slices of pancetta, alongside a dollop of the harissa yogurt, then scatter over the herbs.

Steps:

• Heat a large, heavy non-stick frying pan or cast-iron skillet over a medium heat. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil and 1 tsp butter together and add half the courgettes in one layer. Cook for 2 mins, then turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for 5 more mins untouched, until the underside has a nice colour. Flip the courgettes, then grate over some lemon zest, pour over half the lemon juice and season with salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Cook for a further 5 mins or until very tender. Repeat the process with the remaining slices of courgette.
• Transfer to a platter and top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Drizzle over some extra virgin olive oil and scatter over the mint to serve.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Cook the shallot and courgettes for 8 mins until softened. When they are just beginning to colour, add the garlic and cook for 2 mins more.
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a little of the water. Tip the pasta into the courgette pan with the basil, lemon zest, Parmesan and pine nuts. Season, dot over the ricotta and mix gently so that you don't break it up too much. Serve sprinkled with extra Parmesan, if you like.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll the pastry from one side to make a rough square, then quarter to make 4 smaller squares. Prick all over with a fork, transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 15 mins until puffed and golden.
• Meanwhile, fry the courgettes in the oil until soft and golden, stirring in the garlic for the final min. Mix together the cream, ricotta, egg and Parmesan.
• Remove the tarts once they've puffed up, flatten the middles and thickly spread the ricotta mixture over, leaving a small border. Scatter over the ham, tomatoes and courgette, season, then bake for 15 mins until the filling is slightly risen and golden. Serve with salad, if you like.