Coconut Tart

S & I: Shortcrust pastry, shredded coconut filling, cherry half. H & C: The introduction of coconut into Portuguese pastry is closely related to the so-called Portuguese discoveries or seafaring voyages undertaken in the 15th and 16th centuries, and the subsequent arrival of new foodstuffs in Europe. As with sugar, essential to traditional Portuguese convent confectionery, coconut from Brazil has been used since that time solely in the preparation of desserts and cakes.