Pastiera di Pasqua (Italian Easter Tart with Ricotta)

This orange-flavored Italian Easter tart recipe is a classic dessert from Naples. Sometimes referred to as a "Neapolitan grain pie", pastiera di pasqua is made with cooked wheat grains and ricotta cheese.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
1 11-inch tart
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 1 ⅓ cups cooked wheat grains

  • ¾ cup whole milk

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 2 medium lemons, zested, divided

  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese

  • 1 ¾ cups white sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 large egg yolks

  • 1 tablespoon orange flower water

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ cup chopped candied orange peel

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, or more to taste

Directions

  1. Bring wheat grains, milk, butter, and 1/2 of the lemon zest to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Simmer until creamy, about 10 minutes.

  2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 11-inch tart pan.

  3. Combine ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, orange flower water, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Mix in remaining lemon zest and candied orange peel. Fold in wheat mixture and mix filling until well combined.

  4. Roll out 1 sheet puff pastry on a lightly floured surface so it will fit into the tart pan. Place pastry in the pan and spoon filling on top. Roll out the second puff pastry sheet and cut into 3/4-inch thick strips. Layer a lattice pattern on top of the filling and brush with beaten egg.

  5. Bake tart in the preheated oven until filling is set and lattice is lightly browned, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool inside the tart pan, at least 1 hour.

  6. Carefully unmold tart, transfer onto a cake platter. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Cook's Notes:

You can order cooked wheat grain online (such as Fratelli D'Amico) or find it in Italian supermarkets.

The original Italian recipe is in metric measures. If you have a scale, the metric measures are: 250 g cooked wheat grains, 175 ml milk, 30 g unsalted butter, 400 g ricotta cheese, 350 g sugar, and 100 g candied orange peel.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

722 Calories
33g Fat
96g Carbs
16g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 722
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 11g 54%
Cholesterol 144mg 48%
Sodium 257mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 96g 35%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 47g
Protein 16g 31%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 214mg 16%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 226mg 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.