Rustic Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Tarts

I’ve been busy traveling around a good part of Europe this last week. My husband and I started in Amsterdam and made our way through Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. This Europe getaway was a much needed escape for us with time to reconnect and unplug. It’s also a time to be adventurous. It’s a time to explore great culture and fabulous food.

My husband Travis and I were new to that part of Europe, yet somehow we quickly felt right at home with the beauty around us and the delicious food! I’ll share updates from our travels soon. For now, let’s dive into decadent pastries with the most comforting ingredients. Ingredients inspired straight from Holland and Switzerland.

These homemade pastries are stuffed with soft sweet potatoes, a dash of fresh spinach (for color and nutrition) and a sprinkle of lemon pepper and garlic. It’s finished with decadent goat cheese crumbles. Goat cheese is highly popular in Holland and Switzerland. These areas are known for their cheeses but fresh goat cheese is ever abundant. Pastries are also highly popular! It’s easy to run into a pastry shop on any corner with all kinds of tarts, sandwiches and pastries. This sweet potato pastry is an ode to goat cheese, fresh flavors and divine textures! It’s a lovely marriage of flakey crisp crusts and creamy soft centers. Each bite is pastry heaven.

When we were planning this trip, I was often asked what in the world I would eat “over there” as a vegetarian. Didn’t I know bratwurst and schnitzel were my options? Holland, Germany and Switzerland don’t lack for good vegetarian food, especially when it comes to pastries. In the last few weeks, I have happily survived on homemade breads, goat cheese, potatoes, chocolates and more pastries than I knew what to do with. In other words, I am living life right! Bring these delicious flavors of Europe home. This pastry won’t steer you wrong.

Rustic Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Tarts

2 Sheets Puff Pastry, thawed but still cold
2 cups just-baked, diced, peeled Sweet Potato
1/3 cup Frozen Spinach, thawed and drained
1/8 teaspoon Lemon Pepper
2 Large Garlic Cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt and Pepper
5 ounces Fresh Goat Cheese (We like Trader Joe’s)
Olive Oil

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, gently stir together the sweet potatoes, seasonings and spinach. Remove puff pastry from the fridge and slice in half, created 4 thick stripes. Pour about 1/2 cup of the mixture in the center of the puff pastries. Divide and sprinkle goat cheese between the 4 pastries. Gently but firmly fold the edge of the sheets into the tarts to form a “crust edge”.  Press in the corners to make the tart more firm. Drizzle olive oil over entire tarts. Bake for 17-18 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Makes 4 large tarts.