Savoury Pumpkin Pie Food

MEDITERRANEAN SAVORY PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• In a large pot, over medium heat add 3 tablespoons olive oil and sauté onion for 2-3 minutes, garlic for another 2 minutes. Adjust heat not to burn them.
• Toss in the pumpkin, thyme, mint, pepper and sauté for another 5 minutes. Pour in hot water to cover the pumpkin and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for about 20 minutes until the pumpkin softens.
• Add gradually breadcrumbs, toss and adjust according to the amount of liquid. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Add the whisked eggs and the hard cheese. Toss until well incorporated.
• Preheat the oven at 350°F / 180°C.
• Grease the bottom and sides of the pan* with olive oil and pour in the pumpkin-cheese mix. Spread evenly. Add feta cheese crumbles on top and season with freshly ground pepper and some more fresh thyme, if desired.
• Bake for 45 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and serve warm.

SAVORY ROASTED PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• For the crust, combine flour and salt in a small bowl. Using your fingers, pinch the butter (1/3 cup) into the flour and salt until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add water a little at a time until the mixture begins to clump together. Press the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and keep in the refrigerator as you turn your attention to the other ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Peel the pumpkins, discard the seeds and stringy innards, and cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes. Put the pumpkin on a baking sheet or in a Pyrex pan and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake at 450 degrees for 45 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender and slightly browned.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter (2 tablespoons) with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Slice the onions and cook in the butter and olive oil, stirring frequently, for 45 minutes or until deep brown and fragrant.
• Remove the pie dough from the refrigerator and, on a floured surface, roll the dough into as thin a circle as possible. Fold the dough in half and then into quarters, transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate, and carefully unfold it. Press the dough into the pie plate and trim away excess dough from the edges.
• Remove the pumpkin from the oven and reduce the temperature to 375 degrees. Mix together the cooked pumpkin and onions, and carefully transfer this vegetable mixture into the pie crust. (You may find your pie crust overflowing with vegetables. In this case, remove some of the pumpkin-onion mixture and set it aside -- it makes a great snack or omelet filling.) Sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the vegetables.
• In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, and salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Pour this mixture over the vegetables and cheese in the pie crust. Sprinkle the pumpkin seeds on top of the pie.
• Bake the pie at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, the eggs are firm, and the top of the pie is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

SAVOURY PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan. Cook onion, garlic and thyme stirring over medium heat for about 2 minutes or until the onion are soft. Leave to cool for a few minutes.
• Beat eggs, cream and mashed pumpkin mix in a bowl. Add cheese and onion mixture stirring well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Press pastry into a greased pie dish and add the filling. (Depending on the pastry that you use, you may need to blind bake the shell.) Bake uncovered at around 180°C for 30 minutes or until filling is set.