Rustic Summer Squash & Ricotta Galette with Sage Brown Butter: A Seasonal Delight

As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, there’s an undeniable shift in our kitchens. Summer beckons us outdoors, inspiring lighter, fresher meals that celebrate the bounty of the season. For me, this time of year is an irresistible invitation to indulge in vibrant produce and simple yet profoundly flavorful dishes. This Summer Squash & Ricotta Galette with Sage Brown Butter isn’t just a recipe; it’s a heartfelt ode to everything I adore about summer cooking. It’s a culinary embrace of garden-fresh ingredients, farmers’ market treasures, and the effortless beauty of homemade food.

Embracing the Flavors of Summer: Why This Galette Shines

Summer, for many, is synonymous with relaxation, outdoor gatherings, and an abundance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. While every season has its culinary charms, summer truly stands out as my favorite for food. It’s a time when vegetables are at their peak, bursting with natural sweetness and vibrant colors. Think crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, and, of course, the versatile summer squash. These aren’t just ingredients; they are the stars of our summer plates, demanding minimal fuss to shine brightly.

This season, I find myself utterly captivated by summer squash. My weekly pilgrimage to the farmers’ market invariably ends with a market bag overflowing with various types of squash. From slender zucchini to cheerful yellow crooknecks, their mild flavor and tender texture make them incredibly adaptable. While they are fantastic simply grilled with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a crack of black pepper, or even creatively stuffed, there’s one preparation that has completely won me over this year: layering them generously on a bed of creamy ricotta cheese, all encased in a perfectly flaky pie crust and drizzled with an aromatic sage brown butter sauce. The mere thought of it makes my mouth water!

The Rustic Charm of a Galette: Easier Than Pie!

If the idea of making a pie crust feels daunting, a galette is your new best friend. Often described as a “free-form tart,” a galette offers all the deliciousness of a pie without the intricate crimping and lattice work. Its rustic, imperfect edges are part of its charm, making it a truly approachable baking project for any skill level. This Summer Squash & Ricotta Galette is a testament to that simplicity, allowing the fresh, high-quality ingredients to take center stage. The beauty of a galette lies in its versatility; you can fill it with almost anything, savory or sweet, and it will always look effortlessly elegant.

The foundation of any great galette is a superb crust. Our recipe calls for a simple, flaky dough made with just a few basic ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and most importantly, cold unsalted butter and ice water. The key to that coveted flaky texture is ensuring your butter stays as cold as possible throughout the mixing process. As the butter melts in the oven, it releases steam, creating those wonderful pockets of air that give the crust its signature lightness and crispness. Don’t be afraid to embrace the rustic look – perfection isn’t the goal here, deliciousness is!

A Symphony of Cheeses: Ricotta & Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano

When it comes to cheese, I live by one rule: if I can add more, I absolutely will! This Summer Squash & Ricotta Galette with Sage Brown Butter is a perfect example, showcasing a delightful blend of two extraordinary cheeses. First, we have creamy, mild ricotta, which forms a lush, cloud-like base that perfectly complements the delicate flavor of the summer squash. Ricotta provides moisture and a velvety texture that prevents the galette from becoming dry.

Then, we elevate the flavor profile with the sharp, nutty, and intensely savory notes of authentic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. This isn’t just any Parmesan; it’s a protected designation of origin (PDO) product, exclusively produced in specific regions of Italy. True Parmigiano Reggiano is a masterpiece of culinary tradition, made with only three ingredients: milk, salt, and rennet. It contains absolutely no additives or preservatives, which is a testament to its purity and quality. To ensure you’re buying the real deal, always look for the distinctive pinhole dots and the “Parmigiano Reggiano” name stenciled repeatedly on the rind. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask your local cheesemonger for guidance; they’re usually delighted to share their expertise. The combination of these two cheeses creates a depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.

The Magic of Sage Brown Butter: A Game Changer

While the fresh squash and creamy cheese lay a fantastic foundation, the secret weapon that truly elevates this galette to another level is the sage brown butter. Browning butter transforms it into a rich, nutty elixir with an intoxicating aroma. The process is simple yet magical: as butter melts and gently cooks, its milk solids toast, turning a beautiful golden brown and developing complex, toasted notes. Infusing this with fresh sage leaves adds an earthy, aromatic dimension that pairs exquisitely with both the squash and the cheese. The sage leaves fry slightly in the butter, intensifying their flavor and becoming wonderfully crispy. This brown butter is brushed over the galette before baking, lending a golden sheen and imparting an incredible depth of flavor that you won’t want to skip. It’s a small step that yields monumental results, adding a sophisticated touch that will impress anyone lucky enough to taste it.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This Summer Squash & Ricotta Galette with Sage Brown Butter is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic light lunch, appetizer, or a vibrant side dish for dinner. Serve it warm, perhaps with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to complement its richness. For an extra touch, a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil can enhance its appeal. Consider serving it alongside grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial meal. You can also make it ahead of time and reheat gently, though the crust is best enjoyed fresh from the oven.

Feeling creative? This galette is ripe for variations! You could experiment with different types of summer vegetables, such as thinly sliced tomatoes or bell peppers. A sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary could replace or supplement the sage for a different aromatic profile. For a touch of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the ricotta mixture would add a lovely kick. Don’t be afraid to make it your own; the beauty of a rustic galette is its forgiving nature and adaptability to whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand.

A Summer Celebration on Your Plate

In conclusion, this Summer Squash & Ricotta Galette with Sage Brown Butter embodies the very essence of summer cooking: fresh, flavorful, and delightfully unfussy. It brings together the best of garden-fresh squash, the creamy indulgence of ricotta, the sophisticated bite of Parmigiano Reggiano, and the aromatic warmth of sage brown butter, all nestled in a wonderfully flaky crust. It’s a dish that celebrates simplicity and quality ingredients, proving that extraordinary flavors don’t always require extraordinary effort. So, gather your seasonal produce, embrace the joy of creating something beautiful and delicious, and let this galette be a highlight of your summer culinary adventures. Enjoy every savory, sun-kissed bite!

Disclosure: This recipe was developed for the lovely folks at Parmigiano Reggiano. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting my recipes and site while I work with brands I adore.