Pacha’s veggie torta recipe

Lauren Cook, Founder

To understand the relevance of this delicious savory pie, read our companion blog, Seeding magic in 750 sq. ft.

In the words of Marjorie Boulden, Pacha Owner:

Ingredients:

Two pie crusts

Roasted or boiled sweet potatoes (enough to make a layer of ½ inch thick slices in pie)

Veggies roasted/steamed/grilled of your choice - choose about five, looking for color/texture/flavor contrast but that work together

Salt, pepper, fresh minced garlic, fresh grated ginger, pesto, fresh dill or other herbs - you pick - coordinate with your veggies

Shredded mozzarella - every couple of layers, enough to give a cheesy cohesion, not too much to make gooey - we’ve also used goat cheese, cheddar, etc.

You could layer in refried or black beans if that appeals, we sometimes do that.
Note: red beets should always go on the first veg layer, otherwise as juices drip everything will turn pinkish red!

Directions:

Roll out pie crust and lay in pie pan, as if you’re making an apple pie.
Sprinkle a thin layer of mozzarella, add slices of peeled red cooked beets, then slices of cooked sweet potato, then a little more mozzarella, a layer of sautéed chopped swiss chard (or similar green), sprinkle with chopped fresh dill and minced garlic, layer of sautéed chopped red cabbage, layer of sautéed zucchini, more mozzarella, layer of grilled onions, sliced/chopped tomatoes (not too juicy, try to de-seed or dry out a little), final sprinkle of fresh basil or other herbs, a little more mozzarella.

Roll out the second pie crust and cover veggies, seal with bottom crust, tuck and crimp as you would a pie. Cut some steam vents in top, brush with egg yolk, back at 350-375 degrees for 20 minutes, put on a crust protector so the edges don’t  burn (you can use strips of aluminum foil), continue baking another 40 minutes or more until bubbling and crust is golden. Make sure steam vents don’t seal up, and if they do cut them open again so you don’t end up with a soggy torta.

Enjoy!

Lauren purchased an entire pie for Mothers’s Day 2022. Yes, she shared it!