Recipe of the Day: GingeredButternut Squach Pie

Ingredients

Serves 10

• FOR THE CRUST
• 24 ginger snaps (6 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• FOR THE FILLING
• 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• FOR THE GARNISH
• Crystallized ginger, cut into matchsticks

Directions

1. For the crust, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine gingersnaps and sugar; process until finely ground. Add oil and pulse until crumbs are moistened. Transfer mixture to a 9-inch pie plate and press into bottom and up sides. Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
2. For the filling, set a steamer basket in a large saucepan, and fill with 1 inch of water; bring to a boil. Place squash in pan, cover, and steam until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool.
3. Place squash in food processor and process until very smooth, about 1 minute. Add eggs, brown sugar, half-and-half, fresh ginger, salt, and nutmeg; process until smooth. Place cooled crust on a rimmed baking sheet and pour filling into crust. Bake until set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 1 hour at room temperature, then refrigerate to cool completely, at least 1 hour. Garnish with crystallized ginger.

From Body+Soul November 2008