Butternut Pecan Pie

Crunchy pecans offer some textural contrast to the creamy butternut squash filling, while the quartet of spices ups the warming flavour.

1 1/2 lbs (700 g) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 in (2.5 cm) cubes (about 4 cups/1 kg)

3 large free-range eggs
1/2 cup (125 mL) full-fat coconut milk
1/3 cup (80 mL) organic coconut sugar or other raw-style sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground ginger
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cloves
1/4 tsp (1 mL) nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Prepared spelt pie dough (see recipe here)
3/4 cup (180 mL) pecan halves
2 Tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup

Set steamer basket in large saucepan and fill with 1 in (2.5 cm) water. Place squash in pan, cover, and steam over boiling water until very tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool. You can also roast squash in a 400 F (200 C) oven until tender.

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C) and set rack in bottom third of oven.

Place cooled squash in food processor container and blend until very smooth. Add eggs, coconut milk, sugar, vanilla, spices, and pinch of salt; blend until combined.

Roll prepared pie dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper into a 12 in (30 cm) circle. Peel off top sheet and invert dough into lightly greased 9 in (23 cm) pie pan. Peel off remaining paper. If needed, trim crust with kitchen shears so it overhangs edge of pan by about 1 in (2.5 cm). Use both hands to pinch (flute) edge of crust by pushing the thumb of one hand in between the thumb and index finger of the opposite.

Scatter pecans over crust and drizzle maple syrup over top. Pour butternut mixture over pecans and place pan in oven. Bake until set and no longer jiggly in the centre, about 45 minutes.

Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate to cool completely before serving.

Serves 8.

Each serving contains: 425 calories; 8 g protein; 27 g total fat (13 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 44 g total carbohydrates (17 g sugars, 4 g fibre); 172 mg sodium

A slice of beta carotene

This decadent tasting pie has a nutritious side, too. Butternut squash is loaded with beta carotene, an antioxidant that may help protect the brain from age-related decline.

source: "Life of Pi(e)", alive #383, September 2014