Instead of serving the traditional pumpkin pie for desert, why not prepare a pumpkin flavoured mincemeat pie? This simple and tasty recipe is sure to be a hit at any harvest table. It is recommended that you make the pumpkin puree needed for this recipe at least 1 - 2 hours in advance. If pressed for time, a large can of pumpkin puree can be used as a substitute. Most grocery stores carry canned mincemeat filling however, the traditional version (the one with real meat) can also be used as long as you prepare the filling at least one day in advance.
Pumpkin Puree
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 4 lb (2 kg) pumpkin
- 3 - 4 tbsp of unsalted melted butter (45 - 60 ml)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread melted butter inside baking pan or glass casserole dish.
- Halve the pumpkin crosswise.
- Remove all seeds and stringy membranes.
- Place pumpkin halves cut side down in a buttered pan or casserole dish
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes OR until tender.
- Remove pumpkin pulp from the shell.
- Puree in blender or food processor.
- Place puree in large sieve to drain excess liquid for about one hour.
- Set puree aside in large bowl.
Pumpkin Mincemeat Pie
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
- Unbaked 9" pie shell (homemade or store bought)
- 1 cup of sugar (250 ml)
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon spice (7.5 ml)
- 3/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (3.5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves (2.5 ml)
- 3 large eggs (beaten slightly)
- 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 cup of pumpkin puree (375 - 437.5 ml)
- 1 2/3 cup of evaporated milk (413 ml)
- 2/3 - 3/4 cup of mincemeat (163 - 187.5 ml)
- OPTIONAL: Whipped cream or garnish each slice of pie with a sprig of mint
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Beat in eggs and pumpkin puree.
- Stir in evaporated milk (if the mixture is too dry - add a bit more milk) and set aside.
- Spread mincemeat evenly in pie shell.
- Pour pumpkin mixture over the mincemeat.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet (to avoid excess spillage in oven).
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Lower heat to 350 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes or until tester inserted in the centre comes out clean (with slight crumb-like traces).
- Serve warm with whipped cream.
Pumpkin Mincemeat Pie along with maple flavoured yams or buttery flavoured carrots, sweet corn niblets, steamed brussels sprouts, an awesome sausage and apple stuffing, apple cranberry sauce, traditional turkey gravy, and the anticipated turkey will delight even the pickiest of eaters. Bon Apetit!
Anju Mootilal - Anju Mootilal has a wide variety of professional experiences in psychology and education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science ...
