Savory tart with ham, smoked cheese, and potatoes

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PRESENTATION

A savory tart filled with prosciutto, scamorza and potatoes—really, it is like a little slice of Southern Italy on your plate. Folks here really know how to turn simple stuff into something rich and satisfying. The salty shortcrust pastry, or pasta frolla salata, is a sturdy base—super tender—that works wonders with the creamy filling. Potatoes add a moist and hearty layer. And the prosciutto? It brings a slightly crispy edge once it bakes. Then there’s the scamorza cheese. Oh man, it melts into a golden, stretchy goodness. Seriously, every bite is so, so flavorful. This prosciutto tart isn’t fancy, but it sure feels like home. It's that old-school Italian vibe—comforting and perfect for sharing with friends or family.

And look, regional styles can change the game with this savory pie. Some folks go for smoked scamorza for more depth, while others might toss in local ham or different cheeses. I mean, why not? In Campania or Calabria, you'll find the combo of tangy cheese and salty cured meats everywhere, and this potato tart fits right in. Serve it warm to really get the scamorza melting all over. Whether you're slicing it up for a party starter or going for bigger wedges as the main event, a scamorza tart like this delivers a mix of creamy, salty and even sweet flavors. You know, it’s easy to see why people love putting a prosciutto and cheese tart like this on the table—it's not fussy, but it still feels kinda special. For sure.

You'll spot these rustic tarts at family gatherings or for a quick dinner with a simple salad. Once you try one, it’s hard not to picture cozy Italian kitchens and the simple pleasure of good food made with heart. Really, with its rich flavors and straightforward prep, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser, showcasing the essence of Italian comfort food. And here's the deal: it’s just, well, comforting and pretty much irresistible.

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INGREDIENTS

For the savory shortcrust pastry (for a 9.5-inch mold)
Type 00 flour 4 cups (500 g)
Butter ¾ cup (180 g) - cold
Whole milk 0.6 cup (140 g)
Egg yolks 2
Sugar 6 tsp (25 g)
Fine salt 2 ½ tsp (15 g)
for filling
Potatoes 1.1 lbs (500 g)
Smoked scamorza cheese 10.5 oz (300 g)
Prosciutto cotto 3.9 oz (110 g)
Rosemary to taste
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Savory tart with ham, smoked cheese, and potatoes

To prepare the savory tart with ham, smoked cheese, and potatoes, start with the savory shortcrust pastry: pour the flour, sugar 1, salt 2, and diced butter 3 into the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with the paddle attachment until the mixture is well "sandy," meaning crumbly and dry.

Then add the egg yolks 4 and the milk in a thin stream 5, continuing to mix with the paddle until the dough is well compact 6.

Transfer the dough to a work surface 7 and form it into a loaf 8, then wrap it in plastic wrap 9 and place it in the refrigerator for an hour.

In the meantime, peel the potatoes, slice them 10, and then cut them into regular cubes 11 12.

Boil the potatoes in boiling water for 7-8 minutes 13, then drain them into a bowl 14 and leave to cool. Chop the rosemary 15

Season the potatoes with oil 16, salt, and rosemary 17, then mix well to flavor evenly 18.

After the resting time, roll out the shortcrust with a rolling pin 19 and place it in a well-buttered and floured tart pan of 9.5 inches in diameter 20. Trim the excess dough from the edges with a knife 21

Prick the bottom and sides with a fork 22 and refrigerate again for 10-15 minutes. Take the shortcrust base and cover it with parchment paper 23, then add baking weights (such as dried legumes or ceramic balls) 34 and bake in a preheated static oven at 356°F for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and take out the weights and parchment paper, then fill the base with the potatoes 25 and bake again for another 20 minutes 26. Then, turn on the grill and let it bake for 5 minutes to brown the surface. Meanwhile, slice the smoked cheese 27.

Take the tart out of the oven 28 and add the sliced smoked cheese 29. Complete baking under the grill for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is well melted 30.

Finally, garnish with slices of cooked ham 31 and rosemary sprigs 32. Enjoy your savory tart with ham, smoked cheese, and potatoes right away 33!

Storage

You can store the savory tart with ham, smoked cheese, and potatoes in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days, without the ham. 

 

Tip

Try substituting the smoked cheese with another melty cheese like caciocavallo for a more intense flavor!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.