I made this over the weekend to take to a get-together with friends. Since I had never made this before and knowing that I wouldn’t have a chance to taste it beforehand, I was mildly anxious about presenting an untested recipe so I strongly considered leaving it behind. In the end, I quickly took a picture and decided to trust Ina Garten’s excellent track record, as well as our good friends’ insouciance and never-failing graciousness in the event that the first bites all around the table would not be pleasing. Fortunately, the crostata seemed to be well-received and has already garnered a request for a second appearance from my husband.
A crostata is the Italian version of a free-form tart, what the French call a galette. It’s usually made with sweet/fruit fillings but I imagine that one filled with mushrooms or spinach would be an equally appealing savory version. Aside from the one hour chill time for the dough, the prep was quite simple. Galettes, or crostatas in this case, seem so much more manageable than pies even though both require essentially the same steps. For the party, this crostata won because I had all the ingredients at hand.
This Ina Garten recipe was particularly easy and turned out great. The only departure from the original instructions was that I brushed the dough with egg wash to achieve the nice golden crust that you see here. Speaking of the crust, it was perfectly flaky and since the filling was a simple mix of chopped apples with orange zest topped with a cinnamon/allspice/butter crumble, the bottom was not soggy. The crostata had just the right amount of sweetness, allowing the natural sugar of the apples to shine through. This was served at room temperature but next time, I’ll dig into it warm with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ina Garten’s Apple Crostata
Click here for original recipe
For the pastry
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 pound (1 stick) very cold unsalted butter, diced (I like to put mine in the freezer for a few minutes before using)
- 2 tablespoons ice water
- 1 egg
For the filling
- 1 1/2 pounds Fuji apples (3 large)
- 1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced
Pastry. Using a food processor fitted with steel blade, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt a few times until combined. Add the butter and pulse until the butter is the size of peas, about 12-15 times. With the processor on, add the ice water all at once through the feed tube. Pulse to combine, stopping just before the dough becomes a solid mass. Turn the dough onto a floured board and form into a disk. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Preheat the oven to 450º F.
Roll the pastry into an 11-inch circle (on a lightly-floured surface) using a floured rolling pin. Transfer to a baking sheet. I used a silicone mat over the baking sheet.
Filling. Peel, core and cut apples into 8ths then cut each wedge into three or four chunks. Toss with the orange zest and place on top of the tart dough leaving a 1 1/2 border all around.
Crumb Topping. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and allspice in a food processor fitted with steel blade. Add the butter and pulse until crumbly. Pour into a bowl and rub with with your fingers until the mixture starts holding together. Sprinkle evenly on the apples. Carefully fold the border over the fruit mixture, pleating to make a circle.
Brush the exposed tart dough with the egg wash.
Bake the crostata for 20 – 25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the apples are tender. Allow to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Your apple crostata looks very delicious and I’m sure it was very well received at your dinner.
Thanks, Patty! I think it did okay. In fact, I think I’ll make it again soon.
Your crostada looks amazing and I just want to have it pop out of the screen. Typically anything from Ina is a winner. Hope you had a terrific holiday weekend.
Thanks, Lisa, you too. Isn’t Ina great? Always reliable.
This crostada looks absolutely tasty!
Wow, this is beautiful. I think I’d make a double batch of the crumb topping because I already know I’ll eat most of it before it gets on the apples 🙂
Haha, I had a few “taste tests” myself! 🙂
Wow does this look good, I love Fuji apples!
That looks great. I love crostada. I actually use fiji apples more than granny smiths in any pies. I like the extra sweetness.
Hi, Joy. Fujis are a breakfast staple in my home so I’m never out of them. I’ve learned to use them for baking and they work great!
Ina Garten makes such fabulous recipes: I just love her! Never had a recipe of hers turn out less than stellar. Haven’t tried the crostata yet, but I’ll have to get on it. Maybe with strawberries for June! Cheers,
Emily
Strawberries would be great with this–I agree. 🙂
Love how rustic and un-fussy this crostata looks… I’m almost tempted to poke a fork through the screen to see if I can take a bite. 🙂
Wonder if this would also work if fresh cranberries were swapped for some of the apples in the filling? I’m a sucker for apples and cranberries together.
You know what, I think that’s a great idea. I liked the crust on this so much that I’m considering using different fruits. I think cranberries would be delicious with the apples.
This apple crostata looks absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to make it myself, thank you sooo much for sharing the recipe!
I make this every year for Thanksgiving and it’s always a hit. The picture is making me crave one right now!
I had no clue how easy crostada were until I tried a recipe by Yasmin Lozada-Hissom (of Duo in Denver) a James Bears semi-finalist for pastry several years in a row. That version makes individual servings which made it incredibly fun. Great idea about trying a savory version!
I like the idea of individual servings, too. Thanks!
Going to put this on my round up this fall for dishes to make. I can picture myself with this tart, an espresso and a good book 🙂
Looks amazing
This sounds really wonderful. I love the idea of making a sweet version… as much as I like the idea of a savoury version. I’m dreaming of one that is chock full of mushrooms and topped with some chunks of fontina… and maybe a scant drizzle of truffle oil.