Jamie Oliver Minty Courgette Tart

The Jamie Oliver Minty Courgette Tart is a beautifully light, flaky, and vibrant dish that brings together the fresh taste of courgettes, the richness of goat’s cheese, and a minty freshness that screams summer. When I first made this, I was drawn in by how simple yet elegant it looked—and wow, the flavor payoff is incredible. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

• 4–5 medium courgettes (zucchini), around 500–600g
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry (320g), kept cold
• 6 teaspoons black olive tapenade
• 80g soft goat’s cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make Jamie Oliver Minty Courgette Tart

Prep the Courgettes:

Start by trimming the ends of your courgettes and slicing them into quarters lengthwise. No need to peel them—Jamie keeps things rustic! Then, chop into smaller pieces. This keeps a chunky texture that’s key to the tart’s appeal.

Cook the Courgettes:

In a wide, shallow pan, heat the olive oil over medium. Toss in the courgettes along with the dried mint and let them gently cook for about 15–20 minutes. Stir them occasionally until they’re tender and just starting to caramelize. Mash half with a potato masher so you get a textured mix, then stir everything back together. Season with salt and pepper, and let it cool completely.

Prepare the Puff Pastry:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F), gas mark 6. Unroll your pastry directly onto a baking tray using the provided parchment paper. Spread the cooled courgette mix evenly over the pastry, leaving a 1cm border. Fold the edges slightly to create a frame and brush them with olive oil.

Bake the Tart:

Slide the tray into your hot oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden. Once baked, take it out and let it sit for a moment before adding the final touches.

Finish and Serve:

Dollop and gently spread the olive tapenade over the warm tart. Crumble the goat’s cheese over the top. Serve while still warm or let it cool—it’s delicious either way.

Why I Love This Recipe

I made this on a sunny Saturday and served it to a few friends on the patio with crisp white wine and a leafy salad. The combination of mint and goat’s cheese surprised everyone in the best way. It’s clever, flexible, and feels fancy even though it’s so easy.

Recipe Tips

• Fresh is best: Use firm, bright courgettes for the sweetest flavor and best texture.
• Cool before spreading: Hot courgette mix on cold pastry = soggy bottom. Always let it cool.
• Roll pastry thinner: If your puff pastry is very thick, roll it slightly to help it bake evenly.
• Get fancy with flowers: If you have courgette flowers, they look stunning and taste amazing on top.
• No tapenade? Make your own by blending black olives, garlic, olive oil, and a touch of lemon juice.

How To Store This Jamie Oliver Minty Courgette Tart

At Room Temperature

Leave the tart out for up to 4 hours, ideally covered with a clean kitchen towel.

In the Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. It reheats beautifully or can be eaten cold.

In the Freezer

Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month.

Reheating

To get it crisp again, reheat in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10–15 minutes. Microwave works too—just 1–2 minutes on medium.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 584
• Carbs: 50.9g
• Protein: 15.9g
• Fat: 41.8g
• Sugar: 7.5g
• Fibre: 5.4g
• Sodium: Moderate (depending on cheese and tapenade)

Let’s Answer a Few Questions!

How do I stop my pastry from getting soggy?
Cool your courgette mix completely before spreading and avoid overly juicy veg.

Can I use feta instead of goat’s cheese?
Totally! Feta gives a sharper edge, while ricotta or cream cheese would make it milder.

What if I can’t find black olive tapenade?
Just blitz black olives, a little olive oil, and a clove of garlic—it’s close enough!

Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the courgette mixture in advance and assemble just before baking.

My pastry didn’t puff up—why?
Check your oven temperature and don’t open the door while it’s baking. A hot, stable oven is key.

Try More Recipes:

• Jamie Oliver Caramelised Onion And Goats Cheese Tart
• Jamie Oliver Caramelized Onion Tart
• Jamie Oliver Portuguese Tarts