Summer Plum Crostata

By Food & Wine

This elegant tart is a great option for cooking in the bare-bones kitchen of a mountain cabin, since it doesn't require a special pan. Kelly Liken uses Colorado plums, which she loves for their "beautiful tartness." Even when ripe, the plums are somewhat tangy, thanks to Colorado's cool nighttime temperatures. Any firm-but-ripe plums will work perfectly here. Ultimate Summer Fruit Recipes

Summer Plum Crostata
Summer Plum Crostata

Summer Plum Crostata
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1/4 cup ice water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1 pound firm-but-ripe plums, pitted and cut into eighths
1 large egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon of water

DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor, add the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar and the salt and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle on the ice water and pulse until the dough just barely comes together. Gather the dough and pat it into a disk. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 and position a rack in the lower third. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Working on a lightly floured surface, roll out the disk of dough to a 12-inch round; transfer to the baking sheet. Chill the dough until firm, 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar with the cornstarch, cinnamon and orange zest. Add the plums and toss well. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is mostly dissolved, about 15 minutes.
4. Arrange the fruit in the center of the dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border all around. Fold the edge of the dough up and over the plums. Brush the rim with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
5. Bake the plum crostata for about 50 minutes, until the crust is golden and the fruit is tender and bubbling. Let the crostata cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve.

Make Ahead The pastry disk can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

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