Torta Pasqualina

Ingredients for Torta Pasqualina

• 450g plain flour

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 350g (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, chilled in freezer

• 1.6kg Swiss chard (about 5 bunches), ribs and stems removed

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 medium onions, finely chopped

• 10 large eggs

• 350ml whole-milk fresh ricotta, preferably box-drained, patted dry

• 110g Parmesan, coarsely grated

• 1 large garlic clove, finely grated

• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

• 1/4 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more

• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more

• Plain flour (for surface)

• 2 teaspoons sugar

• A 10"-diameter tart pan with a removable bottom

Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor to combine. Add butter and process until largest pieces of butter are pea-size. Drizzle in 120ml ice water and pulse until a few shaggy pieces of dough form.

Transfer dough (get all the dry bits) to a work surface. Drizzle 1 tablespoon ice water over; knead to just barely bring dough together. Divide in half. Place a half on a piece of plastic wrap. Using plastic and your hands, form dough into a 3/4"-thick disk and tightly wrap. Repeat with remaining dough. Chill at least 2 hours.

Working in batches, cook Swiss chard in a large pot of boiling water until bright green and slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Swish to cool, then remove greens and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. Transfer greens to a cutting board and finely chop (you should have about 950ml ).

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden but not browned, 8–10 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in greens. Let cool.

Using a fork, whisk 4 eggs in a large bowl to blend. Add ricotta, Parmesan, and Swiss chard mixture and mix to combine. Add garlic, lemon zest, nutmeg, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.

Let dough sit at room temperature 5 minutes to soften. Roll out 1 disk of dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12" round about 1/8" thick. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Roll out remaining disk of dough and carefully transfer to tart pan. Lift up edges and allow dough to slump down into pan. Press dough firmly into sides and bottom of pan. Trim, leaving about a 1/2" overhang. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl to blend and brush edges of dough.

Scrape filling into pan, creating a mound in the centre. Using an offset spatula, evenly spread filling over bottom, smoothing surface. Use a spoon to create 5 divots in filling and crack an egg into each. Season eggs with a bit of salt. Arrange remaining round of dough over filling. Trim edges of top round, leaving 1/2" overhang. Fold edge of bottom crust up and over top, then press edges together to seal. Crimp and brush top of dough with remaining beaten egg; sprinkle with sugar. Transfer pie to a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and chill in freezer 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 191°C. Bake pie until crust is deep golden brown, 65–75 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let pie cool in pan at least 30 minutes before serving.

Dough can be made 5 days ahead. Keep chilled, or freeze up to 1 month. Pie can be baked 1 day ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.