Pumpkin (or Sweet Potato) Pie

When we first came to the U.S. we were intrigued and amazed with all the pies we had the opportunity to taste. Here is our interpretation of the pumpkin pie. You can use this recipe anytime throughout the year (especially if you have fresh pumpkin stored in your freezer): anytime you feel like pie in a cold and stormy winter day. Hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients for the crust:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 stick of butter (room temperature)
• a pinch of sea salt

Directions for Crust:

Sift together flour, sugar, and salt. Place the stick of butter on top and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter (we use two knives and slash away). Slash away until the texture is like coarse sand. Continue working it with your hands until you can pat the dough into a ball. Put the ball of dough into the refrigerator to chill for an 60-30 minutes. Press it into an 10 inch pie pan with your fingers until it is even and fairly smooth.


Ingredients for the filling:

• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin or sweet potato (bolied, drained and mashed)
• 3 eggs beaten 
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1 2/3 cups undiluted evaporated milk (it is about a can of evaporated milk)  

Directions for the filling:

First you need to boil the fresh or fozen pumpkin (or sweet potato) for 10 minutes (we buy, peel and cut the pumpkins in October and stock our freezer for the winter). Drain thoroughly and mash it roughly with a fork.

In a large bowl combine the mashed pumpkin (or sweet potato), beaten eggs, sugar, spices, and milk. Beat until well blended, preferably with an electric blender or with an electric mixer. Pour this mixture into the pie shell and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven, for 55 minutes. Cool before serving, and garnish with whipped cream (if you like).