Pasta Frolla

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour

Apricot Filling/Glaze

• 1½ cups apricot preserves or jam
• 2 tablespoons white rum
• 4 cups sliced fruit and berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, orange, and sweet cherries
• 3 tablespoons toasted, sliced almonds or chopped, blanched pistachios; and confectioners’ sugar, for finishing

For the pasta frolla, beat the butter until soft, then beat in the sugar in a stream, either by hand, with a hand mixer set at medium speed, or in a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the paddle. Continue beating until the mixture lightens. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating until the mixture is very smooth and light. Beat in the flour until it is absorbed, without overmixing.

To form the base for the crostata, butter a 9- or 10-inch springform pan or an 8- or 9-inch square pan and line the bottom with a piece of parchment or wax paper, cut to fit. If using wax paper, butter the paper. Press the dough into the pan with lightly floured fingertips, making an even layer. Bake the base at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes, until it is golden and feels firm when pressed with a fingertip. Do not overbake or the base will be dry and hard. Cool on a rack in the pan.

For the apricot filling/glaze, combine the preserves and rum in a saucepan and bring to a boil over low heat, stirring often. Strain into another pan to eliminate pulp. Just before assembling the crostata, return the mixture to low heat and allow to reduce until sticky, about 5 to 10 minutes.

To assemble the crostata, release the sides of the spring-form pan and slide the base of the pan onto a cutting board. If you have made a square base, invert onto a plate and reinvert onto a board. Paint the surface with the filling. Arrange the fruit in rows on the base, using one type of fruit per row, alternating fruits for contrast of color, as in the illustration. Paint the fruit with the glaze, using a brush. Sprinkle the almonds around the edges of the crostata and dust them lightly with the confectioners’ sugar.

For advance preparation, arrange the fruit on the base and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Glaze the fruit no more than 2 hours before serving.

For an alternate presentation, spread the base with jarred preserves or jam and arrange the fruit on the surface. Just before serving, dust the fruit with the confectioners’ sugar.