Cushaw Squash Food

CUSHAW PIE

Steps:

• Sift together sugar and spices and add to cooked, pureed squash.
• Beat in eggs one at a time.
• Add cream and mix well.
• Bake in unbaked pie shell 10 minutes at 450, then 40 minutes at 350. (If you use a deep dish pie crust, add an additional 15-20 minutes to the last leg of cooking.).
• Pie is done with the edges are set and brown but the middle still has just a bit of movement, like a custard. A knife or toothpick inserted should come out clean.
• Cool completely on a rack before cutting or refrigerating. Can be eaten immediately, refrigerated for a few days, or frozen for later enjoyment.
• COOKING THE SQUASH:.
• Cushaw is easiest cooked by cutting it length-wise (this will take a little muscle and a serrated knife or small, clean hand saw), removing the inner pulp and seeds, and then baking the hull, skin still on, in a 350 degree oven on a lined baking sheet. It's done when the flesh is soft and the skin slides off easily - about 1 hour.
• It can be cooked more quickly by slicing the gourd lengthwise, then cutting away the rind and cutting the cushaw flesh into chunks. Boil or steam until fork-tender.
• Puree the cooked cushaw flesh, rind/skin removed, in a food processor or blender in small batches until it is smooth and lump-free. You can also use a potato masher for a more rustic feel, but the resulting pie will be more lumpy, rather than a smooth, custard-like texture.
• Be sure to drain the cushaw thoroughly or the pie will end up too watery. I usually put the cooked, pureed pulp in a strainer, place the strainer over a bowl, and then cover and refrigerate overnight.
• One cushaw will render enough pulp to make several pies, depending on the size. The leftovers freeze wonderfully in 1 cup portions and will save you from having to process it all again next time!

OLD-FASHIONED CUSHAW PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add squash, cover, and steam until very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Blend squash in a blender until smooth. Pour 6 cups squash puree into a large mixing bowl. Reserve any extra squash puree for a separate use.
• Stir cream, honey, eggs, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, allspice, and nutmeg into 6 cups squash puree; whisk until smooth. Cover and set aside.
• Mix flour and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture; add water and mix well. Add more flour to dough if it is too wet. Cut dough in half and roll onto a floured work surface; form into two 10-inch circles. Press dough into 2 pie pans and pour squash filling into each.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

CUSHAW CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a baking dish.
• Mix in order: cushaw, sugar, margarine, milk, egg and flavorings.
• Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour.

PROCESSING CUSHAW SQUASH

Steps:

• Using an electric knife cut squash into large pieces to fit into baking pan. Scoop seeds out of squash.
• Add 1/2 inch of water to the bottom of a large roasting pan and pile squash into pan. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 250-350°F for 3 hours.
• Allow to cool a little while once removed from the oven and cut away from skin. Process in a food processor or blender until puree consistency.
• Pour into individual freezer bags to freeze.