Fruit tarts have always been my absolute favorite dessert. There is something magical about the combination of the crispy, buttery crust with the smooth, velvety cream and the sweet, juicy fruits on top. Every year, I look forward to making it, especially when I can get my hands on the freshest strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and peaches. The vibrant colors of the fruits together always bring me such joy.
Baking with my kids
From a young age, both Marco and Elisa fell in love with fruit tarts as well. It became a tradition for us to bake it together, and it is one of those simple yet meaningful activities that brought us closer as a family. Every year, we’d gather in the kitchen, and despite my tendency to want everything neat and under control, the mess and laughter that came with baking together became the most precious part of the experience.
But this year was different. For the first time, I baked the tart alone, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. Not having my “kids” with me in the kitchen made me realize how much I cherish those chaotic moments we shared. Yesterday, I baked the fruit tart and brought Elisa three small tarts I baked just for her, along with tagliatelle al ragù and tiramisù. It was a simple way to bring a taste of home to her, and the look on her face when she saw them was priceless.
A sweet (and hilarious) memory with Pietro
Now, let me tell you a funny story about Pietro and his (lack of) love for tarts. We met on April 25, 2001, and during our conversation, I asked him his date of birth, which is how I knew that just two days later, it would be his 27th birthday. Although I wasn’t part of his friend group yet, I somehow managed to get myself invited to a barbecue on May 1st at a friend’s house on Lake Maggiore. I decided to show up with a cake to celebrate his birthday, a beautiful apricot jam tart, made from a very old recipe handed down from my grandmother to my mother, and now to me. I still use the original recipe, written by my mom, whenever I bake this tart.
I was so proud of myself, thinking I had made the perfect choice, but to my surprise, Pietro was visibly embarrassed and shocked, not by the tart itself, but by the gesture and the thought behind it. He was also a bit uncomfortable being the center of attention. We even sang “Happy Birthday” to him, with me singing the loudest (even though I’m not the best singer).
Months later, when we started dating, he confessed that he doesn’t like tarts – or any tart, for that matter! But since I went through the effort of baking a cake for him after only meeting him once, he graciously ate it without saying a word. I like to think that while the tart might not have been his favorite, the gesture certainly made an impact. After the party on May 1st, Pietro gave me his phone number, and I was over the moon, absolutely thrilled! Who knows, maybe the tart wasn’t his cup of tea, but my effort and enthusiasm surely touched him. Such sweet memories… Writing about this now brings back so many moments and little details that brought us closer together.
But the story doesn’t end there. Fast forward to November 2001, after we had started dating. For my birthday, Pietro surprised me by taking me to the seaside. Despite the rain, he had planned something so thoughtful and touching: he baked an apricot jam tart with his own hands, knowing it was my favorite. We ended up sitting in the back of his car with the trunk open, eating the tart together as the rain poured down around us. I was incredibly moved that he remembered my favorite dessert, took the time to bake it himself, and brought me to the sea to celebrate. That moment showed me how much he cared, and it is one of those memories that still makes me smile to this day.
A taste of home
For me, this fruit tart isn’t just a dessert; it is a connection to home, a way to bring a little bit of Italy with me no matter where I am. Even though Pietro may not share my love for tarts, the tradition of baking and enjoying them with my family is something I cherish deeply. It is a little slice of comfort, a taste of nostalgia, and a reminder of all the wonderful memories we have created over the years.
Whenever I make a fruit tart, I always use the leftover dough to bake cookies, which Pietro loves. We often enjoy the fruit tart for breakfast, but it never lasts long! Every time I visit Italy, I make sure to have a fruit tart every day, just to tide me over for the year, as it’s not easy to find good fruit tarts here in America, nor was it in the UK. These treats are a link to my roots, a small yet significant way of staying connected to where I come from.
Thanks for hanging out with me today!
Se you next time!
Valentina
Leave a Reply