Market Umbrella is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3), based in New Orleans, whose mission is to cultivate the power of farmers markets to drive economic and community health in the region. Market Umbrella has operated the Crescent City Farmers Markets (CCFM) since 1995.
Recipe
Simple Tomato Tart
Fall has finally found us! On the heels of this cooler weather is Louisiana’s second round of tomatoes. With the addition of Joe Fekete’s Family Farm and the return of Tomott’s Cajun Growers, heirloom tomatoes are sure to abound at the market. These beauties are delicious on their own or as a ’mater sandwich but did you know that cooking them makes them even more nutritious? The cooking process increases the release of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, that helps us to reduce our risk of heart disease and cancer. Here’s a delicious tomato tart you can feel good about treating yourself to!
Ingredients
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 package puff pastry, thawed
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoons butter
- sea salt
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the tomatoes in 1/4 inch slices and salt heavily. This is so that excess water comes out of the tomatoes and keeps the tart from getting soggy. Leave the salted tomatoes aside for ten minutes.
After ten minutes, use a paper towel to wipe off extra salt and moisture from the tomatoes.
Arrange the puff pastry in a pie or regular baking dish. Make sure to add a little bit of butter into the tray before putting the pastry in to prevent it from sticking.
Spread the Dijon evenly over the pastry. Add 1 teaspoon of thyme then arrange the tomatoes on top of the Dijon and thyme. Add the other teaspoon of thyme over the tomatoes.
Drizzle the balsamic vinegar on top. Garnish with a few sprigs of thyme.
Bake for 45 minutes or until the pastry is a deep caramel color. You want to take it out just before the edges begin to char, and not sooner.
About Us
The Crescent City Farmers Market operates weekly year-round throughout New Orleans. The CCFM hosts 70+ local small farmers, fishers, and food producers, and more than 150,000 shoppers annually.