Spring doesn’t really exist in Boston, except perhaps in our collective imaginations. It’s a very odd thing. Instead of the mercury slowly inching its way up the thermometer over the course of several months, it swings wildly back and forth from frigid to sweltering. One moment it can seems like we are back in winter, and the next we are all in danger of suffering heat stroke. There appear to be very few of what I consider true “spring” days, those blessed days of bright sunshine and warm, gentle breezes. Perhaps my memory is faulty, but I remember a more gradual transition from winter to summer from my Ontario childhood, with each day just a little bit warmer and the promise of summer just a hint on the breeze. This year, however, it really felt like we jumped straight out of winter and into summer, no stops in between, do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
Don’t get me wrong, I like summer. I love summer. There is so much to love about summer, not least of which is the amazing bounty of fresh produce. In our own garden we have planted lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and various herbs. We also appear to have a few volunteer pumpkin plants, probably from seeds that were in our compost. Our homegrown veggies won’t be ready for quite some time, but local Farmer’s Markets start as early as next week and I can hardly wait. I am a bit of Farmer’s Market whore, keeping my eye on the schedule of the towns around mine, hopping from one to the other. In the summer, I try to get as much of our fresh produce from the little markets as possible.
This recipe is one that caught my eye as the perfect vehicle for fresh summer veggies. It’s in a funny little cookbook, given to us by my parents-in-law, called The Gourmet Potluck. I almost forgot I had it until my mother was here, and we both began browsing my cookbook library. Given that the original contained three cups of cubed bread, it needed a little overhaul to be suitable for this low carber’s consumption. In the end, I modified it quite a bit. I had no fresh peppers, having used them all up earlier in the week. Thank goodness for a jar of Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted Peppers in the pantry. The summer squash at the grocery store didn’t look so hot, so I skipped that altogether. I added some minced garlic, because what’s an egg dish without garlic? And since I was forgoing the bread cubes, I decided to use the cream cheese, which was supposed to simply be cubed, as a way to thicken the egg mixture. I beat it in, almost like I would with a cheesecake.
The Results: The lack of bread obviously really changed things, because I found I had to bake the torta much longer, almost double the time, to make it set. But it really turned out beautifully. A high-sided, vegetable-filled cake, almost, dense and filling and flavourful. It has so many veggies in it, you don’t need a side salad or any such thing. I found one large slice enough for my whole dinner, but you could pair it with bread for a bigger meal.
It really would be a great potluck dish, as you can make it ahead of time and either warm it just prior to eating or eat it cold. We ate ours room temperature and I think it was perfect that way. I can imagine any number of variations, with different vegetables and cheese. Perhaps a spring vegetable torta with asparagus and gruyere? It’s a keeper of a recipe, for certain.
Summer Vegetable Torta
3 tablespoon olive oil
½ medium onion, chopped
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
3 medium zucchini, sliced ¼ inch thick
2 red peppers, sliced into ¼ inch strips
OR
1 12 oz jar marinated red peppers,
dreained and cut into ¼ inch wide strips
8 oz cream cheese, softened
6 large eggs
¼ cup half and half or heavy cream
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded swiss cheese
Preheat oven to 350F and brush bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with oil. Line bottom with parchment and brush parchment with oil. Wrap outside of pan with aluminum foil.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms, zucchini, and fresh peppers, if using. Saute until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in eggs until combined (it’s okay if it’s a little lumpy). Beat in cream or half and half. Stir in garlic, basil, salt and pepper. Using a slotted spoon to drain off liquid, add sauteed vegetables to egg mixture, then add drained marinated peppers, if using. Add shredded cheese. Stir with a rubber spatula to combine.
Spread mixture in prepared pan and set pan on baking sheet. Bake for 1 ½ – 1 ¾ hours or until top is puffy and golden brown and the center no longer jiggles when shaken. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes in pan, then run a sharp knife around edges of torta to loosen. Gently remove pan sides. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold.
Serves 8 (large slices). Each serving has 8.25g of carbs and 1.5g of fiber.
Kae says
I can’t wait to try this recipe; it looks delicious! My only suggestion thus far would be to have a button to click to print the recipe rather than having to scroll through the webpage while cooking.
I have signed up for future emails and look forward to trying more of your creations.
Susan S Rudkin says
Im so happy to see this recipe after making it in the original form years ago but lost the clipping from Gourmet. No other recipe comes close.
Thanks so much!!!!
Jimylu says
What a great recipe, so colorful! I love how versatile, it is. Doesn’t matter what veggies you decide to use. We found a good way to reheat for the next day. Just add a little melted butter to a skillet and brown on both sides. Thanks for such a great recipe.
Andrea says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was quite tasty. I added a couple of tablespoons of pesto!! Will make again!
Dominique Patry says
Interested
Carol says
I made this mostly for my husband, who loves veggies and is trying out keto. I had my doubts but figured give it a try. We had it for dinner last night, breakfast today and there’s barely enough to serve as a side for tonight! I can’t tell you what it is about this torta/quiche/whatever that makes it so incredibly good. But it is. Use the vegetables in the recipe or your faves, Swiss cheese or something else, add some spices (lemon pepper, Italian herbs and a bit of tajin) or not – just do yourself a favor and make this. It’s pretty freaking incredible!
Carolyn says
Thank you! I really need to update this recipe and your review makes me want to do it soon!
Amber says
Son, if you wanted to make it with the bread, how would you do that?
Carolyn says
Sorry, no idea. I don’t use bread.
Ann says
If you wanted to make it with bread, I would sauté bread cubes with the veggies and do everything else as indicated.
Johanna says
I made this last night and it was delicious — it wasn’t as beauitful… much more browned at 90 mins cook time. However, I did do a light layer of parmesan on top seeking a bit of a browned crust. I thought it was a very easy recipe to follow, though cleanup of my sprinform was tough! There was defintely some leakage so I’m glad I took your advice of the foil wrap.
Delicious recipe, thank you!
Patty says
I saw this recipe just as I have become overwhelmed with summer bounty from the garden… perfect timing! I will try it for dinner this evening!
Carolyn says
Enjoy!
Christiana Hancox says
This looks amazing! Definitely a keeper!
Bonny says
I made this today; the first pretty much as you did. The second with Broccoli ,cauliflower, onions and cheddar. I received lots of wow comments on how beautiful they were. I did all the veggie prep and the cheese grating the night before. Then with all my ingredients at room temp they baked in 60 min.
They were excellent.
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Tina says
Many thanks for this great looking recipe! I will certainly try it the next days.
Greetings from Germany … wherer we always have great seasons, I love each of them.
Tina
Anne o says
Ok this is the best recipe in the world. Ive made it 3 times, today I baked it early 7am and added one jalepeno pepper to the sautéed veggies. At 75 minutes mine was done perfectly. It is delicious hot out of the oven. It is delicious at room temperature. It is delicious day 2 or 3 cold out of the refrig. Awesome main course for every meal during summer. Thanks Carolyn.