Pesto Tart with Stuffed Tomatoes and Cheese

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. We start by washing the tomatoes well, making sure to remove any impurities. After cleaning them, we make a small cut on the top side with a knife, and then we blanch them for a few seconds in hot water. This technique will help us easily remove the skin. Once we take them out of the water, we let them cool a bit, then carefully peel off the skin. The tomatoes, now peeled, are cut in half, and the part with the green stem is cut off with a sharp knife. Using a teaspoon, we scoop out the seeds and flesh of the tomatoes, being careful to leave only the outer wall intact. We place the tomato halves cut side down on a paper towel to drain excess water.

Now we turn our attention to the filling. We take the cheese, whether it's cottage cheese or feta cheese, and mash it with a fork or finely grate it. We add grated Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, and a little dried marjoram, mixing well until we obtain a homogeneous composition. This filling will give flavor to the tomatoes and transform this dish into a real delight.

After preparing the filling, we take the dough out of the fridge. We place it in a baking tray lined with parchment paper, being careful to unfold it gently. We spread pesto over the central area of the dough, leaving a border of about 2 cm unsmeared all around. We place the halves of the tomatoes filled with the cheese mixture, making sure that the filled side is facing down towards the dough and pesto.

We lift the edges of the dough, gently folding them towards the center of the tray, so that we partially cover the tomatoes on the edges. This border will become crispy during baking, giving the dish a special appearance. Once we have completed this step, we put the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the dough turns golden and crispy, and the tomatoes soften slightly.

When the dish is ready, we take it out of the oven and let it cool a bit before serving. It is a perfect appetizer for a festive dinner or a light lunch, full of flavors and vibrant colors. Enjoy this delight alongside a fresh salad and a glass of white wine!