One of our former plant vendors, Sarah Machado from Upstarts Organic Seedlings, is also a very fine baker and cook. Sarah shared her favorite pumpkin pie recipe. “This recipe is my twist on Libby’s famous pumpkin pie. The recipe makes two 9-inch pumpkin pies. If you have time, instead of using canned pumpkin, make your own pumpkin purée. I like to use Winter Luxury or Rouge Vif D’Etampes (AKA Cinderella Pumpkin) for pies — both have rich flavor and a smooth, velvety texture.”
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon (or two heaping teaspoons)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely grated
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 large eggs
1 large can (29 oz. can) pumpkin or the equivalent of homemade pumpkin puree
2-3 tablespoons dark rum (my secret ingredient, optional)
2 cans (12 oz. can) evaporated milk
2 unbaked 9-inch pie shells
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 425°F.
In a small bowl, combine sugar, salt, and spices; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using a low setting of the mixer, beat eggs. Then, add pumpkin, sugar mixture, and rum and mix until combined well. By hand, gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour the mixture into two pie shells.
Place pies in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then, reduce heat to 350°F and continue baking for 45-60 minutes or until a sharp knife inserted near the center comes out clean. (It will set even if it seems not quite done.)
Watch that the crust doesn’t get too brown. Sometimes I reduce the heat to 340-345° in order to protect the crust. Using foil strips on the crust is also helpful to prevent over-browning.
Cool pies for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Pies can be unrefrigerated for up to 24 hours if the weather is cool.
YIELD: Two 9-inch pumpkin pies
SOURCE: Recipe and photo courtesy of Sarah Machado, Upstarts Organic Seedlings
