SAVORY WINTER SQUASH PIE

Savory Winter Squash Pie image

Instead of using frozen winter squash, you can roast butternut or acorn squash until tender and then mash it before getting started on this recipe. The bacon roses are a fun garnish, but this winter squash pie can easily be made without them. -Erica Sinclair, Hamilton, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons cold butter
2 to 3 tablespoons ice water
8 bacon strips
3 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup frozen cooked winter squash
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese or part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Optional: fresh rosemary and fresh thyme leaves

Steps:

In a large bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in shortening and butter until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight. , Preheat oven to 375°. For optional bacon roses, brush bacon with 3 tablespoons syrup. Roll bacon strip up; for larger roses use two strips. Secure bottoms with toothpicks. Dip top of each bacon rose in 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Arrange on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until bacon is cooked through, 25-30 minutes., On a lightly floured cutting board, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; cut into 1-in.-wide strips. Brush with syrup and sprinkle with brown sugar. Chill until ready to use., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk eggs, squash and milk until smooth. Stir in cheeses, flour, rosemary, salt, nutmeg, thyme, pepper and cayenne. Pour into a greased 9-in. pie plate. Bake 20 minutes., Working quickly, arrange chilled dough strips over hot filling in a lattice pattern. Trim at edge of pie plate. Bake until crust is golden brown and center is set, 15-20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack before serving. If desired garnish with bacon roses, rosemary leaves and thyme leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 245 calories, Fat 14g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 113mg cholesterol, Sodium 428mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 9g protein.