Heirloom Squash And Pumpkin Pie Recipes

PUMPKIN OR SQUASH PIE

Steps:

• Cut up the pumpkin or squash, remove seeds, and pare the outside rind. Simmer in a covered saucepan in a small amount of water until tender. Drain water and discard.
• While pumpkin or squash cooks, prepare piecrust.
• Force pumpkin through a sieve or use a food mill. Measure 2 cups puree for each pie. Remainder may be frozen or dried for future use.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Beat eggs and add milk. When blended, add pumpkin, molasses, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and lemon zest, and stir well.
• Roll out piecrust in a 10-inch round circle. Line a 9-inch pie plate, and flute edges as desired.
• Pour into the lined pie plate. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn down the oven to 375 degrees F. for 30 minutes or until set. Cool before serving.
• Measure and set aside 1/4 cup flour and 1 tablespoon butter. Rub the remaining butter into the flour. Stir in cold water with a fork.
• Roll dough out on well-floured board with a floured rolling pin, dot with 1/2 tablespoon reserved butter, and sprinkle 2 teaspoons reserved flour. Roll up the dough like a jelly roll. Flour lightly and roll to a 1/4-inch thickness.
• Repeat the butter and flour addition procedure, using up all butter and flour. Cover with plastic wrap and store in a cool place until needed.

PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pate brisee to a 13-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim edge, leaving a 1-inch overhang: fold edge under and crimp as desired. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line crust with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans; bake until crust is set, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove pie weights and parchment, and continue to bake until bottom of crust is lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Brush crust with egg white; let cool on a wire rack.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Pour pumpkin mixture into cooled crust. Bake until center is set but slightly wobbly, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 6 hours and preferably overnight. Slice and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

HEIRLOOM-SQUASH AND PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make the crust: Roll out pate brisee to a 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Fit dough into a 9-inch pie plate, and trim crust to a 1-inch overhang. Fold edges under, and crimp as desired. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Drizzle pumpkin and squash wedges with olive oil, and roast on a rimmed baking sheet until tender (times will vary).
• Line crust with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges of crust begin to turn golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and remove weights and parchment. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Let cool on a wire rack.
• Peel pumpkin and squash, and transfer flesh to a food processor. Puree until smooth.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Whisk pumpkin and squash puree, eggs, egg yolks, heavy cream, sugar, brandy, sage, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.
• Pour filling into pie shell, and smooth top using an offset spatula. Bake until just set but still slightly wobbly in the center, about 1 hour (filling will continue to set as it cools). Let cool on a wire rack. Serve slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled, with whipped cream.