Each time a vegetable torte is included in the menu of one of my classes, I have noticed a similar trend: tortes have a warm and friendly reception, that turns into a loving embrace once participants make the recipe at home and find out they want to make it again and again.
Not to be confused with the other kind of tortas, (tortes translates to tortas in Spanish…) Mexico’s favorite sandwich made with a crispy bread roll adapted from the baguette; tortes are a cross between a fluffy and moist bread, a savory pudding, and now that I think of it, also a souffle.
Although there are quite a few variations, tortes have a few things in common. For one thing, they are easy to prepare. Next, they are versatile since they can be a side to both dry or saucy entrees, they can become the main dish accompanied by a salad and they can travel solo in grand style. What’s more, and crucial around home, they help eager parents deceive picky eaters who don’t like vegetables that much.
(Two kinds of zucchini posing in my backyard)
Tortes swaddle vegetables in a comforting cushion of eggs (sometimes beaten separately), one or another kind of flour, at times milk, cream or cheese and a nice dose of sugar, some salt, and depending on the spin, other spices. Despite the variations, the signature of each torte is typically given by the vegetable that predominates. The most common ones that come to mind are pea, carrot, spinach, zucchini and corn. The last two are the ones I repeat the most and since I found such beautiful zucchini in the market yesterday, that’s what is going in the mixer today.
(The zucchini mostly found in Mexican markets, calabacita italiana, sometimes called Pipian in Latin stores throughout the US.)
Though in Mexico the zucchini that is mostly used is the calabacita italiana, which translates to italian zucchini, the one I find most often in the US is the larger, dark green zucchini. The first is smaller, a bit rounder, with a lighter green color speckled with cream. The second tends to be longer and with a deeper, darker and more uniform green color. Both work just as well, but the first tends to be a bit milder and sweeter than the latter.
There are countless ways in which calabacitas, or different kinds of zucchinis, are used. It may just be one of the most used vegetables in Mexican cooking. And all of its parts are used: the vegetable, the shoots (especially in tasty soups) and the seeds.
(While my youngest son loves to mash away with the molcajete, or anything else, my oldest has graduated to use the grater, which he does with worldly pride.)
Making this torte is as simple as can be: Grate and drain the zucchini.
(Grated and drained zucchini. You can use a cheese cloth or a strainer and squeeze the juice out with your hands or a spoon)
Then mix it with the already beaten butter, eggs, a mix of rice flour, baking soda, baking powder, pinch of salt and sugar.
Then, into the oven, and that’s it.
(There you go, a dangerous shot from an unexperienced photographer to give you that close up…)
(The zucchini bread before adding the powdered sugar, my preferred topping.)
I have been making this torte for quite some time now. The original recipe comes from Diana Kennedy’s The Art of Mexican Cooking, but it has gone through some adaptations over time.
And from what I can tell, it is about to go through even more: I was nicely surprised last week when I brought it to Ilana’s dinner. As she asked for details on it, she screamed out loud: Its gluten free! Thanks to the rice flour, which also gives the torte such a welcome grainy texture. So I called my mother to say I had accidentally found something else she can make, as she eats gluten free. As I described it, she decided it would be irresistible with grated Mexican Manchego, a cheese similar to Monterey Jack, on top. Turns out, it makes for a deliciously tanned, crispy cheesy top. Who can say no to that?
Though Diana Kennedy likes to eat it with a spoonful of creme fraiche seasoned with salt and pepper on top, I prefer to eat it with powdered sugar. But please, go ahead and choose what you are in the mood for…
Zucchini Torte
Recipe Yield
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound zucchini ends trimmed, grated and strained, about 4 cups
- 1/4 pound plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 eggs at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch Kosher or sea salt
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Powdered sugar optional
- Creme fraiche or Mexican style cream seasoned with salt and pepper, optional
To Prepare
- Butter a 9x12 baking pan. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and place the rack in the middle of the oven.
- Trim the ends off the zucchini and grate. Place in a colander and strain the juice either pushing with your hands or the back of a spoon, set aside.
- In a bowl combine the rice flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- In a mixer, beat the butter at medium high speed for a couple minutes until creamy. Reduce the speed to low and incorporate the eggs one by one. After each egg add about 1/3 of the flour mixture, keep beating until thoroughly mixed. Lastly, add the strained zucchini and the sugar. Beat for another minute until the batter is well mixed and pour onto greased baking dish.
- Place into the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until torte starts to show a nice golden tan and a toothpick comes out a bit moist but not wet. Remove from the oven, cut in squares and serve.
- It can be eaten with sprinkled powdered sugar on top for a nice sweet spin, or with spoonfuls of creme fraiche or Mexican style cream seasoned with salt and pepper. Can be eaten hot, warm or cold. If there is any left, it can be kept covered outside of the refrigerator for a couple days.
Comments
31comments inZucchini Torte for You and Me (and turns out my mother too)
Mara
Jul 31
Hello, can this be frozen?
Pati Jinich
Aug 20
Never done it, but I don’t see why not Mara 🙂
Katy Y.
Jul 28
Hola! I am comparing this one with the one in Mexican Today. That one has less flour and butter but more eggs, liquid, and BP (and cheese). Am wondering if one gives a better result and is an “improved” recipe? I have made the Mexican Today recipe several times but want to make it without the cheese and not sure if I should just hold the cheese or make this version. Thoughts?
Pati Jinich
Aug 20
Try this version that does not have cheese and let me know how you like it Katy 🙂
Rick Delaney
Jul 14
My family ( of Italian ancestry) make something similar called Porpotone. We cut into square serving size pieces. It can be eaten warm, room temp, or refrigerated. I especially like it cold on a hot summer day.
Pati Jinich
Jul 27
Yummy, thanks for sharing Rick!
Jenny Johnson
Jul 03
This and the corn one are both wonderful. I am doing the zucchini torte for the 4th tomorrow . I am thinking about putting a tiny bit of nutmeg in it. Have you ever whipped the eggs’ whites separately? I guess the effect was minuscule or you would have made it part of the recipe. I hope nobody will be offended if your torte throws shade on the cobbler!
Pati Jinich
Jul 09
I like to make the recipe as is, Jenny, but go for it! You should put your own spin on it, and enjoy!
cecilia
Jun 16
Hola Pati, I was looking for a recipe for Calabacitas. But I couldn’t find one on your site. So instead I just added some zucchini to your White rice and Rajas casserole lol….delicious. Again thank you for sharing
Pati Jinich
Jun 19
So glad you made your own recipe, Cecilia!
Judy Lello
Apr 29
My zucchini torte came out very moist, almost like a cake that fell. What do you think the problem was? It does taste good though.
Pati Jinich
May 24
Hmmm…make sure to strain the grated zucchini really well…and it is a moist torte. I’m glad you enjoyed it though, Judy!
Jan Schroeder
Mar 31
Can’t find your coconut pudding you just made on WGBH
Pati
Apr 02
Here you go Jan: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/crema-de-coco/
Judith
Aug 15
Yum. Just made this with my overabundance of zucchini. Perfect any time of day.
Pati
Aug 16
I’m glad you liked it, Judith!
Raphael
Nov 24
Hi Paty,
In making your zucchini torte, which substitute is best for rice flor: Cake Flour, or Bread Flour?
I love your shows. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes and the great tips in the kitchen. Happy Thanksgiving !!!
Pati
Nov 24
Hi Raphael, just all purpose flour is good. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Beba Mauricio Dimas
Aug 23
I watch you on Create and try most of you recipes…Love your boys and family…
Pati
Aug 25
Thank you!!
Blake
Jun 18
I used buckwheat flour, since it was what I had in the cupboard and let me tell you it was absolutely AMAZING! Gluten free as well! Yummy!!
Pati
Jun 19
It’s sooo good to know it works with buckwheat flour, too! Thank you, Blake!!
Sandy
Apr 08
Pati, I love your show on PBS/Create. Thanks so much for having wonderful gluten-free recipes like this one. I hope to see even more in the future. 🙂
Pati
Apr 08
Sandy, Thank you so much for watching!! Here’s another gluten free recipe you might like to try: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2010/03/flourless_almond_cake/
irene vazquez
Nov 29
can regular all purpose flour be substituted for the rice flower?
Pati Jinich
Nov 29
Hola Irene, Of course, you can substitute all purpose flour. Thank you for writing me.
Sima Goldfarb
Jan 13
Dear Pati:
I’m in Switzerland and here I can not find the rice flour. Could you give me a hint about what to use instead? May be “buckwheat” (or sarrasin, in french) flour? (Buckwheat flour is also gluten free). Thanks.
Pati Jinich
Jan 13
Dear Sima,
You can use all purpose flour as well, or you can combine half all purpose and half buckwheat. Let me know how it turns out!
Sima Goldfarb
Dec 10
This is soooo good, that even my 11 months old grandson wanted seconds………
Pati Jinich
Jan 12
So glad, it is a favorite of my little monsters too!
Amy
Oct 19
This is one of my favorite dishes of all time! I had it when Pati prepared it at one of her classes at the Mexican Institute.