A puff pastry tart topped with Brussels sprouts, apples, and walnut pesto. This savory tart is perfect for a vegetarian Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, or just a tasty meatless meal.
This Brussels Sprout and Apple Tart with Walnut Pesto recipe makes a perfect vegetarian main dish, side, or appetizer for Thanksgiving! (Or Christmas, too.)
Thanksgiving is next week. (At least when I'm writing this it is.) Did I just blow your mind?
Fine, maybe not. Maybe you are a person who has things together, who plans everything in advance, and for that, I commend you. I used to be that person too. But then I turned into a person says "Have a good weekend!" on Tuesdays and who does all her Christmas shopping the day before Christmas.
I have no sense of time and no have-it-togetherness. Evidenced by my use of the word "have-it-togetherness."
The thought of hosting a Thanksgiving gathering makes me a little bit woozy, in fact. There is so much planning involved! It's kind of like Tetris, except instead of fitting together colorful shapes, you're figuring out when to put the gratin in the oven when the breadsticks need to be cooked at the same time, but at a different temperature or how you're going to cook 5 different things on the stovetop when you only have 4 burners.
Also, there's no Russian-y Tetris music playing while you figure this stuff out, which makes it much less fun.
Well, this is the kind of meatless main dish that makes things a little bit easier. (You thought I wasn't getting to a point, huh?)
Here's the game plan: you make the pesto and the Brussels sprout topping the day before. On Thanksgiving day, you'll prepare the puff pastry crusts and top them - they only take 15 minutes total in the oven.
So after your gratins and casseroles and whatnot have finished cooking, cover them to keep them warm, then pop these savory tarts in the oven.
This brussel sprout and apple tart is hearty enough to be a main dish for your vegetarian guests, and you can cut smaller pieces for others to have a taste too.
It's nice to have vegetarian main dishes that double as sides for everyone else on Thanksgiving - less alienation! I've paired Brussels sprouts with apples before and it's one of the most popular recipes on Oh My Veggies.
Brussels sprouts go so well with that little bit of sweetness from apples. This tart is the perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, with a flaky puff pastry crust to boot. Yum!
P.S. If you're looking for more holiday inspiration, be sure to check out our brand new Vegan Thanksgiving Cookbook!
Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw walnuts
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese shredded and divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 shallot thinly sliced
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts trimmed and thinly sliced
- 1 medium apple cored and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 sheets puff pastry homemade or thawed according to package directions
- 2 tbsp dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Put the walnuts, ¼ cup of cheese, and olive oil in a food processor and process until crumbly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the Brussels sprouts and apple slices; cook about 10 minutes more, or until apples and sprouts are beginning to brown. Stir in the maple syrup and thyme, then remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the puff pastry on baking sheets lined with Silpats or parchment paper; roll the pastry out to about 9x12 inches. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. Gently press down the center of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch margin on all sides. Sprinkle the pesto onto the crust, then top with half the cheese, the sprouts and apples, then the remaining cheese. (You might have some of the sprout mixture leftover.) Return to the oven for 5 more minutes to melt the cheese, then top with the cranberries. Cut each tart into 6 pieces and serve.
Julia says
I'd like to RSVP to your Thanksgiving. Just me, no guest. I'll bring booze. Screw the turkey, we'll make this tart! This thing looks amazing and yup, my mind is blown that Thanksgiving is next week. But since I'm going to your place, I'm not worried about that I haven't planned a single thing for the holiday. 😉
Kiersten says
You can bring a box of red wine and Spite and then we can make my favorite holiday drink, Sprine. Please note that the wine must be boxed. Also, Sprine must be served in red Solo cups, so you might want to bring some of those too...
Marta @ What Should I eat for breakfast today says
Puff pastry is amazing, it can literately save a day. Great idea for a tart.
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
this will come sooo handy for holiday party. Love love love puff pastry.
Abby@TheFrostedVegan says
I am in LOVE with brussels sprouts at the moment! Love puff pastry, stuff of the GODS
Kiersten says
I know, right? Flaky deliciousness. 🙂
Dishing up the dirt says
This sounds fantastic! I'm loving brussels at the moment!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
Brussels sprouts & apples are such a great combo together! As much as I love turkey, I'd swap it out any day for this tart!
Kiersten says
They are! People don't believe me, but they are! 🙂
christina says
love everything about this!
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate says
I know, Thanksgiving can be overwhelming. Scrap that; holiday dinners in general are a lot of work! That's why I love the simplicity of this even more!
Kiersten says
Yeah, entertaining in general makes me feel a little bit panicky. 🙂
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Man that crust is something that I dream about! I love the flavors you have going on in this bad boy!
Emily says
Girl…this look gooooodddddd!
Francesca says
woah savory tart! looks awesome... I love the idea of adding pesto too 🙂 One of my favorites. + thyme and maple?! awesome.
Maria says
I am in love with this tart! Pinned and drooling:)
Kiersten says
Thank you for the pin! 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
This might cheat my husband into eating some Brussels sprouts! Looks so delicious!
Kiersten says
Brussels sprouts are one of those things people either love or hate. 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Yes, you blew my mind. As much as I'm trying to embrace the season, I'm not ready for Thanksgiving. Thank goodness we're not hosting this year.
I've never tried Brussels sprouts with apple, but I think I need to start!
Kiersten says
Yeah, there was a time when I eagerly anticipated this time of year, and now I just feel like, "No! Not yet! Need more time!"
Eat Good 4 Life says
Wow this looks superb. I love pesto, especially on pizza but what a great idea to put it on puff pastry. I love the combo of the veggies and cranberries in this!!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love the sound of this savory tart!
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
I've only just discovered the awesomeness of brussels sprouts, but I husband felt I went to far when I added them to pizza - but I loved it, and I would definitely love this tart!
Kiersten says
I could totally eat Brussels sprouts on anything--I look forward to them every fall!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Oh yes! I love this savory and festive fall tart, Kiersten. It looks so delicious and perfect for an easy yet impressive meal. Thanks for sharing!
Kathryn says
This sounds like such a great alternative to all of that heavy food around at this time of year. Love the combination of pesto with the brussel sprouts and the sweetness of the apple. Just lovely!
Kiersten says
Yes, I definitely like having some lighter foods to balance out all the heavier ones! 🙂
Katy says
"Thanksgiving dishes that double as side dishes - less alienation" Thank you for this, awesome idea!! 🙂 I've already had my Thanksgiving in Canada but I'm pinning this for xmas, looks awesome!
Kiersten says
I have spent many Thanksgivings getting the side-eye over the faux turkey on my plate, so I speak from experience. 🙂
Joanne says
YES to the tetris reference! That is spot on what cooking for Thanksgiving. Pair that with having a 3/4 size oven...and things get even more complicated. I love that this tart doubles as a side for everything else. That really is the best kind of veg entree.
Kiersten says
I don't know how my grandma does it every year--I think I need to grill her for tips next time I visit. 🙂
Ginger says
Holy yum, this sounds amazing. And combines some of my favorite ingredients! I made your quinoa stuffed acorn squash rings, and could hardly stop myself from eating them all at once. This one is definitely going on next week's menu plan!
PS - I'll happily RSVP to your Thanksgiving as well. I can bring the solo cups, because Sprine sounds like so much fun.
Kiersten says
Woo hoo! I'm glad to hear that the squash rings were a hit. And glad to hear I'll have someone else to partake in the Thanksgiving Sprine drinking this year. 😉
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
Tarts make such a great vegetarian main and this one's not only pretty but sounds delicious! It's nice when you don't have to have a special separate dish made just for you, as long as you get your serving before everyone else does though!
Kiersten says
Yeah, it can be uncomfortable to be the only one eating something--I think this way works much better!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I'm kinda sad that I'm 35 (wait, crap, 36) and am just now learning about this whole savory tart phenomenon. The more ways I can have puff pastry in my life the better! And apples + brussels sprouts? Yes, please!
Kiersten says
Ha! I forget how old I am all the time, so thank you for making me feel better about that. Puff pastry is the best, right?
lifeatthecircle says
Oh, this is beautiful! Love that it includes brussels sprouts and mushrooms as well. I have some family members that may be less than thrilled by them, but - this tart looks drool-worthy enough to be able to sneak it by them. Love doing that.
Thanks for sharing! -L
Kiersten says
It actually doesn't have mushrooms in it, but if you omitted the apples, I think that would work well! 🙂