Drain thoroughly and either finely chop or pulse in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl. Melt in a small skillet over medium heat:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Add and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes:
1/4 cup minced shallots
Add to the vegetables and season with:
2 tablespoons Madeira (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or ground nutmeg
Ground black pepper to taste
Heat almost to a boil:
1 cup light cream or heavy cream
Whisk into the vegetables:
3 large eggs
Slowly whisk in the hot cream and ladle the custard into the prepared dishes. Sprinkle the tops with:
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Place the custard in a water bath (see About Baked Custards). Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake until the custard is set two-thirds of the way to the center of the dishes, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, loosen the cover but leave it on, and return to the oven to cook for another 10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the inside edge of the ramekins. Invert the timbales onto serving plates. Serve sprinkled with:
Chopped fresh parsley or snipped chives (optional)