Jack O’ Lantern or Pie?
Before we get down to today’s business I need a huge favor from you guys. I have a new review blog. I wrote about Steven and his teeth brushing habits. Would you please click over to here and leave a comment. Thank you so much!
This time of year pumpkins are easy to find. It seems as we approach Halloween the stores are in pumpkin overload. After Halloween they almost disappear. Why is that? We still have Thanksgiving coming. All of us cooks still need pumpkins for pie. I am including you, dear reader, in the ‘all of us cooks’. Yes, I am. Even you, there, you can cook. You don’t need to do much other than be able to read and follow easy direction for yet another perfect pie.
Look around for the small pumpkins that are the size of a mini basketball or an over size softball. Those are usually sugar pumpkins and make a really nice pie. If you can’t find the smallish pumpkins don’t fret. The same pumpkins you buy for your jack o’ lantern will also make a nice pie. Pick a pumpkin that is rock solid without too much blemish to the skin.
Take the pumpkin(s) to your kitchen sink and wash them. With dish soap. Yes, soap it up and give it a good scrubbing, Rinse and dry. You have no idea whose hands have touched that pumpkin before you pick it out at the market. There is no telling where those have been, you know?
Take a moment to turn ont he oven and let it be warming up to 425 degrees while you do prep work. Use a cutting board to protect your work surface and choose a strong sharp knife to split the pumpkin in half.
Scoop out the pulp and seeds. Set it aside in a bowl for later. We have a very good use for it.
Using vegetable oil or olive oil give the pumpkin halves a good rub down. Place the two halves on a baking sheet cut side down. This helps trap the steam inside. The pumpkin meat won’t dry out or become crisp on the edges.
Into the oven they go. In less than an hour the pumpkin should be cooked. Use a skewer or a fork to pierce the skin. If you use a cloth to protect your hand you can give it a little touchy squeeze. If it is soft it is ready to come out.
Give the pumpkin time to cool a bit. Then using a spoon scoop out the tender meat. Make sure to get it all. Don’t be afrain to scrap the rind for all the yellowy orange goodness.
To this add: 1 can of evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed), 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground cloves and little grating of nutmeg. Mix well. If you don’t have all of those spices on hand you can substitute with 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice.
Pour the pumpkin pie mixture into two regular sized nine inch pie shells. It is best to place them on a cookie or baking sheet just in case something spills over.
Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes then turn down the heat to 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Allow the pies to cool before serving. Remember to cut teo slices in the pie before you try to lift out the first piece. Serve with fresh whipped cream.
Now what do we do with those pumpkin seeds and pulp? Let me show you!
Wash a few seeds and lay them out to dry on paper towels. They will need several days or more to completely dry out. Set these seeds aside for planting your own pumpkins next spring. Once dried place them in a small envelope and put them away in a dry place for winter storage.
You can also pick out the seeds and roast them for a tastey treat for your kids. We just aren’t a fan of roasted pumpkin seeds. My kids would rather have roasted pecans. Can’t say that I blame them.
I used the pulp and some buttermilk to make a healthy treat for my chickens.
Chop the pumpkin seeds or put them in the food processor or blender to break up the hard shells so that the inside meats are exposed. Add fresh buttermilk and mix well.
There is a natural chemical in the seeds that will paralyze any parasites in the intestinal tract. The buttermilk will aid in flushing them out. Pumpkin seeds and buttermilk are used as a healthy worming maintenance. If you chickens have a heavy worm load you will need to medicate them and get them clean and then you can use this technique as a maintenance to keep them worm free.
We chicken farmers need to know these things. I am not a fan of chemicals and meds used on animals used for food stocks.
If you read here yesterday you know I am announcing a new prize giveaway. Yayyy for you!
Fall is the perfect time for pie making with the apples and pumkpins that are being harvested. We all love pie! So … show me your pies you are making this fall. Any kind of pie. Not just apple or pumpkin. Pie also includes cobbers and buckles and torts and tarts. I would love to see what you delighting your friends and family with. We need a few test drives to prepare for Thanksgiving Day Pie!
Every comment on yesterdays Apple Pie post and this Pumpkin Pie post gives you a chance to win. There are other ways to win the give away. Send other readers here to leave a comment and their name AND your name goes into the drawing for yet another chance to win. Twitter about this give away and use the hash tag #Angie’s_HomeGrownGiveaway and @Angie_HomeGrown for yet another way to add your name to the drawing. Update your Facebook status with the giveaway for a fifth entry. Follow me on Networked blogs for a final chance to enter. The entry is open from 10/15 – 11/15. Seven chances to win!
Enter to win by:
1. Bake a pie and show me the photo on your blog or email.
2. Link to me on your blog about this giveaway using the Giveaway button.
3. Leave a comment on the Apple Pie post and the Pumpkin Pie post.
4. Send a friend to leave a comment and enter both of your names.
5. Twitter with hash tag #Angie’s_HomeGrownGiveaway and @Angie_HomeGrown linking to the giveaway.
6. Update your Facebook status with the giveaway link. (Remember to let me know when you update your FB. You have to come tell me.)
7. Follow me on Networked Blogs.
John Deere Autumnal T-shirt, matching ankle socks, pink John Deere gardening gloves, trashy romance novel, quilted handmade hot mat, one bar of handmade lavendar and vanilla soap. Disclaimer: All items have been collected by me or made by me for the purpose of this give away. No item is sponsored or donated by a third party.
Good luck every one!
Stacey made a beautiful pie!
We always enjoy reading your posts, i just used the website Swap my Seeds, as a way of giving away my unused seeds. Anyone know what I can sell them for? I have maybe 250 lobelia seeds left.