Pineapple Tart

Anticipating festivals can sometimes be more fun than the festivals themselves.  Deepavali or better known Festival of Lights is an important festival in Hinduism, celebrated for different reasons, occurring between mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes, visiting friends and family.

These past couple of days I have been tied down making cookies for the festival which is round the corner.  Today I would like to share something that I have been making since I was a teenager.  Its sort of a pastry filled with pineapple filling. Not one year goes by without me making this.

Ingredients


2 1/2 cups  all-purpose flour
2 sticks butter orn225 grams butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg yolk
4 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar/icing sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch (corn flour)
1 egg yolk (lightly beaten for egg wash)

For the pineapple filling

2 cans (20 oz can) sliced pineapples
10 tablespoons sugar (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon cornstarch or corn flour (mixed with 1 teaspoon water)

Method

Drain the pineapple slices and then squeeze the extra water/juice with your hands. Blend the canned pineapples until it’s mushy, about 10 seconds.

Pineapple Mould (Nastar)

Put the filling in and roll

Using medium heat, cook the pineapple and sugar until most liquid has evaporated, and the filling turned golden. Stirring constantly using a wooden spoon to avoid burning. Taste, and add more sugar when needed. Add in the cornstarch (corn flour) to thicken the filling. Let it cool in the fridge.

For the Pastry

Sieve the flour, cornstarch, salt and sugar into a medium bowl. Soften the butter to room temperature. Add in the egg yolk and the flour. Knead to form the dough.

Divide the dough and pineapple filling each into 24 equal rounds. Use a pineapple mould to make long thin strips and put in the rolled filling and roll the pastry up.
You can also use a pineapple tarts mould to make the pattern above.

Preheat the oven for 350F and bake for 20-25 minutes or until light brown.