So now that we’ve all gone entirely state-side, and we have learned to embrace our American friends’ version of Halloween with all it’s spookiness and sugar, what to do with the innerds of the pumpkins you’ve assiduously carved? Simple. Rinse, dry and bake the seeds (completely delicious) and then zap the rest of the flesh into the most American pud I can think of: a good old, traditional Pumpkin Pie. Pretty much as quick and easy as you can get, once you’ve got the flesh out – which you will have done, to scare the neighbours and show willing – and really rather delicious, especially with a dollop of ice cream and a cup of coffee. And after all, it’s (ahem) one of your five a day. Give it a go and tell us what you think.
INGREDIENTS
750g pumpkin peeled, chopped into chunks and the seeds taken out
350g shortcrust pastry – sweet if you can be bothered, but it doesn’t need to be
140g caster sugar
Grated nutmeg
1tsp cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
25g butter, melted
175ml milk
1tbsp icing sugar.
METHOD
1. Put the pumpkin in a pan, cover it with water, bring it to the boil and then cover and let it simmer until it’s tender. Then drain it and let it cool.
2. Oven to 180 C/160 C for a fan/bottom right for an Aga. Roll out the pastry and line a 22cm loose bottomed tin with it. Sling it in the fridge for 15 mins. Line with baking paper, fill with baking beans, and bake it for 15mins. Take out the paper and beans and give it another 10mins or until it’s golden, and clearly done. Take it out and let it cool a bit.
3. Zap the oven to 220C/200C for a fan/ top right for an Aga. Blend the pumpkin. Put the sugar, a pinch of salt, the nutmeg and half the cinnamon in a bowl. Mix in the eggs, butter and milk and add the whole lot to the pumpkin and mix – not too much.
4. Pour into the tart shell and cook for 10mins, then reduce the temp to 180C/160C/bottom right. Set the timer for 35mins and put the kettle on.
5. Have your tea/coffee.
6.Check it when the timer goes off and give it another five minutes if it isn’t quite set.
7. Remove, let cool and dust with cinnamon and icing sugar mix
8. Help yourself to another slice..!
