Torta de Calabacitas
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 8 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled (see Note), and cut into 1/2 x I 1/2-inch strips
- 2 pounds plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped
- I teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 pounds small zucchini, cut into 1/8-inch slices
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon dry bread crumbs
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 6 ounces thinly sliced feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- In a heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat.
- Saute the onions for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened.
- Add the chiles, tomatoes, and salt to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high.
- Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Set aside and allow to cool completely.
- In a large covered vegetable steamer, steam the zucchini for 5 to 6 minutes, or until tender but.
- not mushy.
- Season to taste, then remove the steamer from the pan and let them cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and thoroughly butter a medium oven-proof casserole or souffle dish.
- Coat the inside of the dish with the bread crumbs.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with 1/4 teaspoon salt to stiff peaks, then add the egg yolks, beating them in well.
- The mixture will be frothy but stiff.
- Distribute a layer of zucchini slices in overlapping circles on the bottom of the casserole.
- Pour half of the sauce over the top in an even layer, then distribute 1/3 of the cheese over it.
- Cover the cheese with 1/3 of the beaten egg mixture, then dot with 1 tablespoon of the butter cut into tiny pieces.
- Repeat the layering in the same order and finish with a layer of zucchini topped with the last 1/3 of the beaten egg, butter, and cheese.
- Cook the torte on the top shelf of the oven until the eggs are set and the cheese has melted, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, and serve.
- Note: Fresh chiles and bell peppers can be roasted over a gas flame or on a tray under the broiler.
- Keep turning so the skin is evenly charred, without burning and drying out the flesh.
- Transfer the charred peppers to a plastic bag, tie the top closed and let steam until cool to the touch, about 15 minutes.
- (If you are rushed, you can place the bag in a bowl of iced water to speed things up.)
- The best way to peel is just to pull off the charred skin by hand and then dip the peppers briefly in water to remove any blackened bits.
- Do not peel the pepper under running water since that it will wash away flavorful juices.
- Once peeled, cut away stems, seeds and veins.
vegetable oil, onions, chiles, tomatoes, i, zucchini, salt, bread crumbs, eggs, feta cheese, unsalted butter
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/torta-de-calabacitas-recipe.html (may not work)