Courgette (Zucchini/BabyMarrow) Tartlets

These little tarts make a good snack or even a light lunch or supper if served with a salad.  There is not much flour in these which makes them soft.  They don’t rise very much either.  I would best describe them as mini quiches.  Garnish them with a blob of sour cream and chopped crisp bacon.

5 ml olive oil

3 or 4 rashers of bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium courgettes, grated

30 ml flour

3 extra-large eggs, whisked

500 ml grated cheddar cheese

salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 180 C and spray a patty pan with non-stick spray.

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the bacon until done.  Remove the bacon and add the onions.  Fry until soft.  Put the bacon and onion in a bowl, add the grated courgettes, flour, eggs and cheese.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Spoon into the prepared patty pan hollows and bake for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown.

garnish with a little sour cream and crisp bacon and serve warm.

Makes 10 – 12

Mini Pumpkin Quiches

These little pumpkin quiches are very tasty and good to serve with other finger foods or as a light lunch.  Butternut can be used in place of the pumpkin.  I cook the onions in the microwave but they can also be done on the stove.

400 g frozen puff pastry

1 onion, finely chopped

15 g butter

250 m cooked mashed pumpkin

250 m grated cheddar cheese

1 egg, beaten

salt and pepper to taste

pinch ground nutmeg

Roll out pastry, cut into circles and line patty pans.

Place onion and butter in dish and microwave on 100% power for 2 minutes.

Combine with pumpkin, cheese, egg, seasoning and nutmeg

Fill pastry shells and bake for 15 minutes at 230 C.

Serve hot.

Makes 24