Fresh Pumpkin Pie

Making pie from fresh pumpkin or squash puree is a little trickier because the puree is not as thick as the commercially canned pumpkin. I love this recipe because you don't add a can of evaporated milk. You don't add any extra liquids—just the dry milk powder. Brian was skeptical that this pie would turn out because he had just listened to a NPR story about pumpkin pie and the "experts" claimed that the best pies are made from canned pumpkin. They said not to bother cooking your own, because the pie won't have the right consistency. Well, I had to prove them wrong. I just happened to have some leftover pumpkins that we hadn't carved, and I found this recipe on a food storage blog. The pie was great! Brian said he liked it better than the Libby's recipe I usually use. I won't pretend that this is the only recipe I will use from now on, because cooking your own pumpkin is more work. But, if you have some pumpkins or butternut squash (I'm talking to you, Marilyn!) that you want to use, try this recipe.

Ingredients:
3 1/2 C. homemade pumpkin puree
3/4 C. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. ginger
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. cloves
3 eggs
1 C. dry non-instant milk
1 9-10 inch deep dish pie shell with edges crimped high--filling is generous

Thoroughly combine all of the above—I used a blender to make sure the powdered milk was completely smooth. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 400 for 50 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and outside comes out clean. Cool.