Pastiera (Italian Easter Tart)

Good Times, Good Food - Holidays and Events

Pastiera is among the most iconic of Italian desserts. Originally from Naples, it's most typical during Easter season, but it is served year around. The traditional filling is made of cooked wheat berries and sheep's milk ricotta. [Recipe originally submitted to Allrecipes.it]

Brief

Prep 20 mins

Cook: 1hr10 mins

Additional: 30 mins

Total: 2hrs

Servings: 8

Yield: 8 servings

Pastiera (Italian Easter Tart)

Ingredients

1 ⅛ cups cooked wheat berries

¾ cup milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 lemons

zested

divided

1 (15 ounce) package pastry for a 9-inch double crust pie

1 (15 ounce) container sheep's milk ricotta cheese

1 ¾ cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons orange flower water

divided

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 ounces candied orange peel

diced

1 egg

lightly beaten

1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Yia Yia's Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread)

Holidays and Events

Directions

Step 1

Combine cooked wheat berries milk butter and zest of 1 lemon in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook stirring often until creamy about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease an 11-inch springform pan or aluminum pan and line with one of the pastry crusts.

Step 3

Combine ricotta cheese sugar eggs egg yolks 1 tablespoon orange flower water vanilla extract and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor; mix until smooth. Mix in remaining lemon zest and orange peel. Fold in wheat berry mixture and pour over the bottom crust.

Step 4

Roll out remaining pastry crust and cut into 1/2-inch wide strips. Place on top of the pie in a lattice pattern and brush with beaten egg.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until filling is cooked through and top is lightly browned about 1 hour. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Cool for about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Remove pie carefully from the pan and place on a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Nutritional Information

Pastiera (Italian Easter Tart)

Servings Per Recipe:8

Calories: 710.7

% Daily Value *

Protein: 16.7g 33%

Carbohydrates: 105g 34%

Dietary Fiber: 6.5g 26%

Sugars: 46.4g

Fat: 27.2g 42%

Saturated Fat: 9.8g 49%

Cholesterol: 146.9mg 49%

Vitamin A Iu: 499.3IU 10%

Niacin Equivalents: 6.3mg 48%

Vitamin B6: 0.2mg 12%

Vitamin C: 21.6mg 36%

Folate: 72.6mcg 18%

Calcium: 220.8mg 22%

Iron: 3.1mg 17%

Magnesium: 57mg 20%

Potassium: 303.9mg 9%

Sodium: 359.2mg 14%

Thiamin: 0.3mg 34%

Calories From Fat: 245

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.