Taleggio, radicchio, pears and a simple puff pastry give life to an easy recipe, with an inimitable Italian taste.
Photo G. Giustolisi
The story (and, consequently, the knowledge) of Italian gastronomy has always been related to cities, towns, and villages. Behind every single dish, behind the simplest ingredients (a rustic loaf of bread, a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, a tomato sauce or a piece of cheese) are hiding stories of places and people that have made each product of the Italian cuisine special, unique, and precious. 
The Taleggio cheese is one of these examples. Its history is as ancient as the beautiful, fairytale village perched on the mountains from which it takes its name. Taleggio (province of Bergamo in Lombardy, Northern Italy) has ancient origins, dating back to Roman times. In this place, around the tenth century, was born one of the typical Italian PDO cheeses. The dairy farmers, proud of their products, decided to distinguish their cheese production from that of other areas. Taleggio is a cheese with well-defined characteristics from sweet, aromatic taste and, in some cases, a truffle aftertaste. It will keep for weeks in the refrigerator but it should be wrapped in a moist towel to maintain the softness of the crust.
Even the “Radicchio rosso”, Italian chicory, from Treviso (city of Veneto Region, Northern Italy) has ancient origins. Its benefits were even known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Also known as the “winter flower”, for its elegant appearance, and cultivated since the sixteenth century, as many ingredients of Italian cuisine, the red radicchio was a poor food, also used as feed for animals. Today, it is used raw to enrich and give color to salads and cooked, especially as a condiment for risotto. Like other traditional ingredients, this vegetable is also very versatile and is perfect for simple recipes to add a unique taste.
Taleggio, radicchio and pears (in Italian, pairing fruit and cheese is very old and has been the subject of study by many scholars of gastronomy and history of popular traditions) and a simple puff pastry, give life to an easy recipe, with an inimitable Italian taste.
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- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 small tarts 1x
Description
This appetizer combines the sweet and aromatic flavors of Taleggio cheese with the bitterness of radicchio and the sweetness of pears, all encased in a flaky puff pastry.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe pears, peeled and cut into cubes
- 100 g (3 1/2 ounces) Taleggio cheese, cut into cubes
- 2 radicchio (red chicory leaves), washed and cut into strips
- Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
- 1 sheet (or about one 14 ounce package) puff pastry
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel the pears and cut them into small cubes.
- Cut the Taleggio cheese into cubes.
- Wash the radicchio leaves thoroughly and cut them into thin strips.
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into pieces that will fit into your small molds for canapés or tarts.
- Line the molds with the puff pastry, pressing gently to fit.
- Layer the ingredients in the molds: start with the pear cubes, followed by the Taleggio cheese cubes, and top with radicchio strips.
- Drizzle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the top of each filled mold.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
Taleggio cheese should be wrapped in a moist towel to maintain the softness of the crust. This dish can be served warm or at room temperature. If you can’t find Taleggio, a similar soft cheese like Brie can be used as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 20
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I store leftover Taleggio cheese after making this recipe?
Wrap the leftover Taleggio cheese in a moist towel and place it in the refrigerator to maintain its softness.
Can I use a different cheese instead of Taleggio for this recipe?
While Taleggio has a unique sweet and aromatic flavor, you can substitute it with another soft cheese like Brie or Camembert, although the taste will differ.
What is the best way to prepare the radicchio before adding it to the puff pastry?
Wash the radicchio thoroughly, then slice it into thin strips to ensure even cooking and a balanced flavor when combined with the Taleggio and pears.
