Make Pumpkin Pie Straight from the Pumpkin

Have you ever wanted to make pumpkin pie straight from the pumpkin, rather than from a can? Follow these steps to turn a fresh pumpkin into a delicious pie that's perfect for the holiday and autumn season.

Ingredients

For the Pie

  • 1 pumpkin, about 6" in diameter
  • 1 cup (250ml) milk or cream
  • 1 cup (110g) Splenda (or substitute with brown sugar)
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
  • 2 frozen pie crusts, thawed (or homemade)
  • 4 large eggs

Topping the Pie

  • Cinnamon for sprinkling
  • Fresh whipped cream
  • Grated nutmeg

Steps

Preparing the Pie Filling

  1. Cut a round cap around the pumpkin stem with a knife. Remove the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the stringy insides and seeds.
  2. Wash the exterior of your pumpkin. Cut the remaining pumpkin shell into squares or slices. Smaller squares and slices will cook more quickly.
  3. Cook the pumpkin meat that you just sliced.
    • Boiling method: Boil the squares in a saucepan over medium heat, uncovered, until they're soft. Cook the pieces longer for a heartier texture and more intense flavor in your pie. Cool and remove the skin if you are peeling during this step.
    • Oven method: Heat your oven to 275-300ºF (135-149ºC). Roast the pumpkin in a shallow pan until it's tender when you poke it with a fork. Roasting caramelizes the pumpkin meat and preserves nutrients that could be removed by boiling.
  4. Allow the cooked pumpkin to cool.
  5. Place the cooked pumpkin into a blender pitcher. Add the milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Blend the ingredients to form a thick filling for your pie.
  6. Set 2 bowls out on your counter top. Empty 1 cup of filling into each bowl.
  7. Add 2 eggs to each bowl. Blend the eggs in with a whisk. Avoid using an electric mixer; this could give your pie filling a gluey texture. [1]

Assemble and Bake the Pies

  1. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Spray 2 pie pans with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Drape your pie crusts over 2 pie pans. Use your hands to press the crusts into the pan. As directed, poke bottom of pie crusts with fork, to ventilate. Flute the edges with a fork.
  3. Scoop the filling from the 2 bowls into the 2 pie crusts. Spread the filling over the crust using the back of a spoon, and sprinkle the top with cinnamon.
  4. Bake the pies for 45 minutes on the same rack. Check on your pies after 30 minutes to make sure that they don't burn. If your pie crust edges are browned before your filling is done, wrap the edges with aluminum foil and continue to bake the pies.
  5. Remove the pies from the oven. Let them cool at room temperature before serving them with some whipped cream and a small amount of fresh grated nutmeg.



Tips

  • For a different taste, replace some of the milk with eggnog. You might want to also reduce the sugar to compensate. Sprinkle nutmeg on top instead of cinnamon, and you've got a taste of Christmas with your pies.
  • Line the pie crusts with a layer of thin apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon before pouring in the filling if you want a different flavor profile.
  • If you've taken the time to make the pumpkin pie filling, finish it by making the crust from scratch. It makes it taste so much better.
  • Sprinkle one teaspoon of cumin on top of the pie before placing it in the oven for a dramatic flavor.

Warnings

  • Avoid using large decorative pumpkins for baking. These pumpkins do not have a pleasing or satisfying flavor. [2]

Things You'll Need

  • Knife
  • Saucepan
  • Shallow roasting pan
  • Blender
  • 2 bowls
  • Whisk
  • 2 pie pans
  • Spoon

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.cooksinfo.com/pumpkin-pie
  2. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-pumpkins-for-baking-ingredient-intelligence-211333
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