Tartine for Woman

Tartine pour femme green, fresh and slightly tart

The Tartine pour femme by Rue Traversette is a green vegetable spread made from fennel, zucchini and celery, plus apple, avocado and a hint of green tea. Fresh, slightly tart, with toasted flaxseed for a crunchy touch. Made without honey.

Tartine pour femme by Rue Traversette is a vegetarian spread that tastes distinctively green. Fennel, zucchini and celery form the base, while 6 percent apple and 4 percent avocado add mildness, and white wine and lemon juice provide freshness. Toasted flaxseed at 0.6 percent and 0.13 percent green tea add the fine finishing touches.

Fennel leads, avocado softens

Even upon opening, this spread smells different from its counterparts—reminiscent of anise and fresh herbs rather than the south and the sun.

On bread, the fennel takes the lead with its anise-like sweetness, the celery provides a tart contrast, and the avocado creates a creamy layer that softens the intensity of both. Grassy, savory, and creamy, with toasted flaxseeds that provide a crunch between the teeth.

The green tea is subtle but noticeable, casting a delicate, almost tannic veil over the palate. The white wine works just as inconspicuously, keeping the entire mixture bright. Those who dislike fennel will not be converted here, as it remains the star of the jar. Those who love it will find it to be one of the best spreads they've had in a long time.

Pairs with cucumber, goat cheese and fish

Among our vegetable spreads and creams, the Tartine pour femme is the coolest voice, and the only one that tastes of the garden rather than the Mediterranean.

On light bread with a few cucumber slices and flat-leaf parsley, it makes for a light breakfast. Its tartness pairs well with fresh goat cheese, steamed fish, and pickled vegetables. A spoonful in potato salad makes it green and fresh without anyone guessing the secret ingredient.

A word of caution for guests who need to avoid celery, as it is a prominent ingredient here.

A tartine from the pun-based series

The Tartine pour femme is part of "L'esprit franchouillard," the series in which Stéphane Strobl has been giving his spreads tongue-in-cheek names since 2011. A counterpart, the Tartine pour homme, was added later.

Serious work lies behind the fun. In Saint-André-de-Sangonis in the Hérault region, a team of about ten people cuts the vegetables by hand, cooks them in kettles, and gently pasteurizes them—without preservatives, colorings, or artificial flavors. In summer, up to 80 percent of the vegetables are sourced from the local region.

Stéphane started in 2005 in a village called Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens, on the Rue de la Traversette. The street gave the brand its name, and it remained even after the move to the cannery built in 2015. Before that, he sold corks to the local winemakers, which explains why he knows the region and its producers so well.

Served cold, it tastes closed and tart

Stored cool and eaten at room temperature, this spread reveals the most fruit; served directly from the refrigerator, it tastes more closed and significantly tarter. Once opened, consume within a few days. A dry white wine from the Languedoc picks up on the green notes beautifully, as does a cold fennel broth if you prefer something non-alcoholic. And if anyone gets hung up on the name, the answer is simple: everyone who has tried it has loved it.