Pumpkin Pie

This recipe is for pumpkin pie made from fresh pumpkin. I have not tried swapping out the pumpkin for the same volume of canned pumpkin. I typically use a Cheese or Galeux d’Eysines pumpkin. The former is a squat, grey colored pumpkin that looks like a cheese wheel and the latter like it was grown in Chernobyl and is grey covered in what can best be described as warts. The more ‘warts’ the sweeter they are. They are both delicious.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups pumpkin, cooked and drained
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 tbs flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar (or less depending on how sweet the pumpkin is)
  • Pie crust

Directions

You can either bake, or if you have one, pressure cook the pumpkin

Bake the Pumpkin

Wash and cut the pumpkin in half. You will need a very large, and very sharp kitchen knife and enough umphf to get through pumpkin. Scoop out all of the seeds and stringy material. Scoop out all of the seeds and stringy material.

If you have a dish large enough covered disk, place the pumpkin cut side down in about 1″ of water and bake, covered at 375 F for anywhere from 45 min to 1.5 hours. It depends on the size and density of the pumpkin. If you don’t have a dish large enough cut the pumpkin into as many reasonably large chunks as you can and cook in covered pyrex, or similar, dishes with covers.

Pressure Cook the Pumpkin

Wash and cut the pumpkin into similarly thick slices/chunks that will fit in your pressure cooker. If you have a basket, use it, so that the pumpkin is not immersed in the water as it cooks; you want to steam it, not boil it.

Pressure cook, on high for about 15 minutes. Turn off the pressure cooker and let it sit without letting the steam out, for another 5 minutes.

Separate the Meat from the Skin

Once you can easily pass a fork through the meat, it is done.

Remove from the oven and transfer to a large pot and let drain and cool enough to be able to hold the slice of pumpkin in a towel in your hand, skin side down. Then with a spoon scoop out the meat, separating it from the skin placing in another large bowl or pot.

After the pumpkin cools further, there will probably be some pools of water in or around it. Use a clean cotton towel to sop up as much as you can, but do not try to get it completely dry.

Make the pie filling

Mix the sugar, flour, salt, and spices together in a large mixing bowl until well mixed.

Add the pumpkin and egg and beat with a mixer until smooth.

Pour into crust and bake for 45 min to 1 hour at 375 F.

Pasta-Bean Soup with Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon margarine or butter
  • 2 14%-ounce cans vegetable, chicken, or beef broth
  • 4 cup small pasta shells
  • 1 16-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
  • 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup snipped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme
  • Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven cook the mushrooms, onion, and garlic in hot margarine or butter till tender but not brown. Add vegetable, chicken, or beef broth. Bring to a boil. Stir in the pasta. Return to a boil. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or till pasta is al dente (tender bur still firm). Stir in undrained tomatoes and garbanzo beans. Heat through.

Just before serving, stir in fresh basil and thyme. To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls. If desired, garnish with fresh basil.

Makes 4 servings.

Four Bean Enchiladas

Ingredients

  • 16 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15-ounce can navy or great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 11-ounce can condensed cheddar cheese or nacho cheese soup, or 10 ounces of cheddar cheese
  • 1 10-ounce can enchilada sauce
  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 14 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
  • Sliced pitted ripe olives (optional)
  • Chopped green pepper (optional)

Directions

Stack tortillas and wrap tightly in foil. Bake in a 350° oven for 10 minutes or till warm.

For filling, combine beans and cheese soup. Spoon about 1/4 cup filling onto one end of each tortilla. Starting at the end with the filling, roll up each tortilla. Arrange tortillas, seam side down, in 8 individual dishes or two 2-quart rectangular baking dishes.

In a bowl stir together the enchilada sauce and tomato sauce: pour over tortillas. Cover with foil. Bake in a 350° oven for 20 minutes. For individual dishes or 30 minutes for baking dishes or till heated through. Remove foil; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or till cheese melts. If desired, sprinkle with olives and green pepper.

Makes 8 servings.

Spinach and Rice Caserole

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, chopped (4 cup)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 14-ounce can peeled Italian-style tomatoes, cut up
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil,crushed
  • 8 ounces tofu, drained
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
  • A cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
  • A teaspoon salt
  • A teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seed, toasted

Directions

In a large saucepan cook the onion and garlic in hot oil till onion is tender but not brown. Add undrained tomatoes and oregano or basil. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, place tofu in a food processor bowl or blender container. Cover and process or blend till smooth. Add to tomato mixture. Stir in cooked rice, spinach, half of the Swiss cheese, salt, and pepper.
Grease 4 individual casseroles or one 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Spoon mixture into casseroles.

Bake, uncovered, in a 350° oven for 30 to 40 minutes or till heated through. Sprinkle with remaining
cheese and sesame seed.

Makes 4 servings.