Kitchen survival tips for single folks -- I ask, you help!

November 03, 2006

Let's Make Pumpkin Pie

After all, 'tis the season and Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. I've never made it but assume it's just a matter of throwing a can of pumpkin pie filling into a pie crust and sticking it in the oven. Right? It can't be that easy or boring.

1) How do you make your pumpkin pie?

2) Does anyone really start with -- a pumpkin???

3) Suggested toppings?

Thanks!

Posted by Jeff Soyer at November 3, 2006 12:09 PM
Comments

My family has tried a few alternate recipes but we always go back to the recipe on the Libby's pureed pumpkin can. Tried and true - it is the most favored pumpkin pie.

The crust is my mother's recipe.

Should be topped only with real whipped cream.

Posted by: jen at November 3, 2006 02:54 PM

I recently made a pumpkin pie out of a real pumpkin using the following recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Moms-Pumpkin-Pie/Detail.aspx

It was, hands down, the best pumpkin pie I've ever had in my life. I don't know if it was the recipe or because I cooked it out of a real pumpkin, but it was gooooood.

If you want to use a real pumpkin, make sure you get a pie pumpkin. The ones you'd use for carving are not that tasty.

Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out all the seeds and stringy stuff. Put it cut side down in a greased baking dish and cook it at 350 until it's soft. Let it cool for a bit, scoop out the pumpkin, and use it in that recipe (or any other pumpkin pie recipe).

Use the leftover heavy whipping cream for making whipped cream.

Posted by: Brandon Dimcheff at November 3, 2006 02:57 PM

I actually made a pumpkin pie from scratch when I was a kid. I remember it being lots of work, cutting and cooking the pumpkin, but coming out good. I don't think I personally have ever made a pumpkin pie other than that one; it's always my mother, grandmother, sister or stepmother, and always from a can.

Right on about the pie pumkin, also called a sugar pumpkin, rather than the larger ones for carving. It'd work but they're not purpose-bred.

I'm sure I've had whipped cream or Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream with pumpkin, but to me it's a pie to eat plan. It's also superlative as a leftover pie that is a perfect breakfast or even small meal. Same applies to squash pie.

I have only had it a few times, but I just love sweet potato pie, which is similar to the above, but arguably even better. I keep meaning to get my stepmother's recipe.

Posted by: Jay at November 3, 2006 03:37 PM

Never cared for pumpkin pie; I always figured squash should be baked, boiled, fried, or made into bread. I have nothing against pumpkin pie, it's just not to my personal taste.
The only part of a pumpkin I eat are the seeds, which are good in pilaf.

Posted by: BobG at November 3, 2006 05:24 PM

Brandon's right, the giant carving pumpkins do not have much taste at all. Pie pumpkins are completely different and a pie made from them tastes great.
That being said, I've had good luck with the canned pie filling.

Posted by: Windy Wilson at November 8, 2006 06:36 PM
Your comments are most welcome. So are your recipes! You don't need to use a real name or email address to post. MT Blacklist is installed to flag suspiciously "spam-like" strings. Alas, this means that the strings "google.com" and "yahoo.com" are banned, even as email addresses. Just make something up!

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