GREEK PUMPKIN AND LEEK PIE
This savory Greek pie, one of my favorites, makes a great vegetarian main dish for Thanksgiving. You can make the filling days before you assemble the pie; you can also make the whole pie ahead, wrap it well and freeze it. Like all winter squash, pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A, in the form of beta carotene, and a very good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and manganese.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 3h
Yield Serves eight to 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Place the pumpkin pieces on the baking sheet, drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on top and cover tightly with foil. Place in the oven, and roast for 1 1/2 hours or until thoroughly tender. Remove from the heat, transfer to a strainer or a colander set over a bowl or in the sink, and allow to cool and drain. Turn the oven down to 375 degrees.
- Peel the cooled pumpkin, and place in a large bowl or in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Purée coarsely or mash with a fork. Stir in the herbs, nutmeg and feta. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick frying pan. Add the leeks. Cook, stirring, until tender and just beginning to color, five to 10 minutes. Add the garlic, and continue to cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Remove from the heat, and add to the pumpkin. Beat the eggs, and stir into the pumpkin mixture.
- Brush a 10- or 12-inch tart pan or cake pan with olive oil and layer in seven sheets of phyllo dough. Place them not quite evenly atop one another, so that the edges overlap the sides of the pan all the way around. Brush each sheet with olive oil (or a mixture of olive oil and melted butter) before adding the next sheet. Fill with the pumpkin mixture, and fold the edges over. Brush the folded-over phyllo with olive oil, then layer five more sheets of dough over the top, brushing each with olive oil (or a combination of melted butter and olive oil). Crimp the edges into the sides of the pan. Pierce the top of the pie in several places with a sharp knife. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 40 to 50 minutes until the top is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Recrisp the crust if necessary in a low oven for 10 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 245, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 484 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
GREEK PUMPKIN PIE
In Greece we make two types of pumpkin pie: sweet and savory. This is a sweet pumpkin pie. If you happen to have a can of pumpkin puree lingering in your pantry perhaps you can give it a try!
Provided by Culinary Flavors
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Grease a rimmed baking sheet.
- Heat pumpkin puree in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and puree is thick. Stir in sugar, raisins, semolina, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Remove from heat.
- Lay one puff pastry sheet into the prepared baking sheet. Spread the pumpkin mixture over the pastry and cover with the remaining pastry sheet. Brush the top of the puff pastry with beaten egg.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 773.1 calories, Carbohydrate 112.4 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 12.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.3 g, Sodium 557.1 mg, Sugar 45.2 g
LEEK AND CELERY PIE
Steps:
- Make phyllo dough:
- Stir together flour and salt in a large bowl, then make a well in center and add water, yogurt, 1/2 cup oil, and vinegar. Stir until a soft dough forms, then knead on a work surface (do not dust with flour) until smooth and pliable, about 4 minutes. Form dough into a ball and put in an oiled bowl, then turn to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let dough stand at room temperature 1 hour.
- Make filling:
- Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and drain well in a colander.
- Heat 1/4 cup oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet or a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté leeks and celery with 1/2 teaspoon salt, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
- Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
- Stir herbs into leek mixture along with cheeses, pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Lightly beat eggs with remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a small bowl, then stir into leek filling.
- Assemble pie:
- Brush baking pan with 2 tablespoons oil.
- Divide dough in half. Roll out 1 half on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a 19- by 14-inch rectangle. Fold rectangle loosely into quarters and transfer to baking pan, then unfold dough and fit into pan, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Spread filling evenly in pan.
- Roll out remaining dough on floured surface with floured rolling pin into a 20- by 15-inch rectangle. Lift dough and drape it over filling, leaving it slightly wrinkled. Roll edge of bottom crust over top to form a rope edge all around pie. Brush top of pie with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Score top crust into serving pieces with a sharp knife (mark crust but do not cut through it).
- Bake pie until golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool to room temperature in pan on a rack, about 1 hour.
Tips:
- Choose the right pumpkin: Look for a sugar pumpkin or butternut squash that is small to medium in size, with a deep orange color and firm flesh.
- Roast the pumpkin first: Roasting the pumpkin before adding it to the pie filling intensifies its flavor and gives it a slightly caramelized texture.
- Use fresh leeks: Fresh leeks have a milder flavor than onions and add a delicate sweetness to the pie.
- Sauté the leeks until softened: Sautéing the leeks until they are soft and translucent helps to bring out their flavor and prevent them from becoming tough in the pie.
- Use a combination of cheeses: A combination of feta and kefalotyri cheese gives the pie a rich and flavorful filling.
- Use a good quality filo dough: Filo dough is a delicate pastry that is easy to work with. Look for a brand that is fresh and not too dry.
- Brush the filo dough with melted butter: Brushing the filo dough with melted butter helps to keep it moist and prevent it from becoming dry and brittle.
- Bake the pie until the filo dough is golden brown: The pie is done baking when the filo dough is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Conclusion:
Greek pumpkin and leek pie is a delicious and savory dish that is perfect for a fall meal. The combination of roasted pumpkin, sautéed leeks, and flavorful cheeses makes this pie a hit with everyone who tries it. Whether you are looking for a new dish to serve at your next dinner party or simply want to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal, Greek pumpkin and leek pie is a great choice.
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