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5.0 from 3 votes

Torta salata di zucca

Savory Pumpkin Pie

Course: Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

To prep the squash
  • 1 kilo (2 lbs) winter squash or 500g (1 lb) of pulp (see Notes)
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • A few sprigs of rosemary optional
For the basic filling:
  • 3-4 eggs
  • 250 g (1/2 lb) ricotta cheese
  • 75 g (3 oz) freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano
  • salt and pepper
Optional enrichments for the filling:
  • 100 g (3-1/2 oz) scamorza, mozzarella, Emmenthal or another meltable cheese, cut in small cubes
  • 100 g (3-1/2 oz) pancetta, Speck, prosciutto, ham or some other cured meat, cut into small cubes
For baking:
  • 1 store bought pastry crust or one batch of pasta brisée or pasta sfoglia, rolled out in a circle
  • A 24cm (9-1/2) inch pie plate or quiche pan
  • Butter or olive oil for greasing

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the squash into large wedges and scoop out the seeds. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive, season with salt and pepper. If using, lay a small sprig of rosemary on top of each wedge.
  2. Bake in a hot (200C/400F) oven for about 30-45 minutes, or until the squash is soft.
  3. Remove from oven and let the squash cool completely. Remove the rosemary, then scoop out the pulp and transfer to a mixing bowl. Discard the skins.
  4. Add to the mixing bowl, the rest of the basic filling ingredients and mix vigorously until you have a smooth and uniform mixture. (If you prefer, you can also do this in a food processor or using a stick blender.)
  5. If using, fold in the cubed cheese and meats.
  6. Line a well greased pie plate or quiche dish with the pastry, letting an extra dough hang over the sides. Pour in the filling and flatten it out with a spatula. Now you can fold any extra pastry dough back over the filling, or braid it to form a decorative [border] or just trim it off, as you prefer.
  7. Bake in a pre-heated moderate (180C/350F) oven for 45-60 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through and the pastry has lightly browned.
  8. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  9. Serve lukewarm or at room temperature.