Easy Sweet Recipe: Kumquat Tarts with Almond-Date Crust
When I first conceived of these bright little tarts, I imagined them as dessert. Later I decided that they were even better as a fancy, yet healthy (gluten-free and sugar-free), breakfast. Either way, they are a luscious pairing of two winter gems: kumquats and dates.
Kumquats and dates are some of my favorite treats from the winter farmers’ markets here in Southern California. Eaten by themselves, both fruits can be overpowering – the kumquat with its vividly tart flesh (surrounded by sweet, edible peel) and the date, which tastes smooth and honeyed but can be cloying after awhile. I thought it would be fun to pair the two, letting them play off of and balance each other.
First, I combined the dates with almonds and oats, lightly baked to form a rich, chewy crust. This is filled with thick, honey-sweetened yogurt, an idea inspired by Kitchen Caravan’s recipe for Basra Date Tarts. My version of the crust is smoother in texture and uses almonds instead of walnuts, plus a bit of ground cardamom. I also tried pistachios but ultimately preferred almonds for their deeper, nuttier flavor.
Thinly sliced kumquats go on top, providing a zingy burst of flavor that mellows as you bite down into the sweeter filling and crust. From the juicy kumquats to the creamy yogurt to the chewy almond-date crust, eating these tarts is a truly sensuous experience.
Note: If your kumquats are very seedy, you might want to start with more fruits than you think you’ll need. Use the prettier, more intact slices for the tart and muddle the excess bits for Kumquat Spritzers. Also, I really like the bracing tartness of kumquats, but if you prefer something sweeter, there’s a note at the end of the recipe with instructions for candying the citrus slices. You could also use thinly sliced Mandarin oranges instead of kumquats.
Kumquat Tarts with Almond-Date Crust
Makes 2 (4-inch) tarts
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 cup
Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup
almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup
rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon
ground cardamom
Pinch of salt
- 1 cup
pitted dates
- 2 tablespoons
honey
- About 10
kumquats, sliced into rounds and seeded*
Equipment
2 (4-inch x 3/4-inch) tart pans with removable bottoms
Instructions
Do ahead: Pour the yogurt into a fine-meshed strainer set over a bowl and allow to drain overnight in the refrigerator. (If you forget to strain the yogurt ahead of time, you can use straight Greek yogurt or strain it briefly. Your yogurt just won't be quite as thick.)
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place almonds, oats, cardamom, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add dates and process until mixture comes together into a dough.
Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Press 1 piece evenly onto bottom and up sides of each tart pan. (Use the bottom of a glass to smooth it down.) Bake until slightly browned and puffed up, about 12 minutes. Cool completely on rack.
When crusts are cool, remove from pans.
Combine yogurt and honey, and spread mixture evenly in the center of each crust.
Arrange kumquat slices on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a day.
Recipe Notes
*Note: If your kumquats are very tart, or if you just want a sweeter dessert, you can candy the slices. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add kumquat slices and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove kumquats, shake off excess liquid, and toss them in sugar to coat.
Related: Bittersweet Baking Winner! Candied Kumquat & Bittersweet Chocolate Cherry Mini Galettes
(Images: Emily Ho)