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Ginger Acorn Squash and Pear Pie
(Recipe Source: Firehook Bakery & Coffee House, Washington, D.C.)
Acorn squash tastes almost like pumpkin in this creamy pie recipe which also includes fresh pears, ginger, and cinnamon. It takes a bit of time to make from scratch, but it is not difficult. The result is well worth your time.
Pastry:
2 cups pastry flour (or 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour mixed with 1-1/4 cups cake flour)
1-1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 large egg
1 Tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Filling:
2 acorn squash (3 pounds)
1-1/4 cups light brown sugar
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1-1/2 pounds Bosc pears
1-1/2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Dough:
In a food processor, combine 1 C of the flour, the butter, egg, and sugar. Pulse 10 to 15 times, or until the mixture is a fairly smooth paste. Add the remaining 1 C flour and pulse until dough comes together. Do not overwork. Form dough into a ball, flatten into a disk, wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
On a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper, roll out the dough into a 13-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a 10-1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate and fit it against the bottom and sides without stretching. Trim the overhanging dough to 1/2 inch, fold it under and crimp decoratively. Using a fork, prick the bottom and sides of the pie shell all over. Freeze the pie shell until firm, 10 to 15 min.
Preheat the oven to 400°. Bake the pie shell for 10 min., or until just beginning to turn golden around the edges. Transfer to a rack to cool to room temperature. Leave the oven on.
Filling:
Halve each acorn squash and, using a spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds. Place the squash, cut sides up, in a large baking dish. Pour 1/2 inch of water into the dish. Place 2 Tbsp of the brown sugar and 1 Tbsp of the butter in each squash cavity. Cover the dish with foil and bake the squash for 45 min., or until it is soft when pricked with a fork.
Using a spoon, scoop the squash flesh into a food processor, along with any cooking juices. Puree until smooth. Add the remaining 3/4 C brown sugar and the ginger and salt. Pulse several times to mix. Remove the food processor cover and let the puree cool for about 10 min. Add the eggs 1 at a time, pulsing until incorporated between each addition.
Peel, quarter and core the pears. Slice them lengthwise 1/8 inch thick. Arrange the pear slices in the bottom of the cooled pie shell. Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top of the pears. Pour the squash filling over the pears and smooth the surface with a spatula.
Bake the pie in the lower part of the oven for 15 min. Lower the temperature to 350° and bake for 40 to 50 min. longer, or until crust is golden brown and the filling is just set. (The center of the filling will continue to cook after the pie is removed from the oven). Transfer to a rack to cool completely before serving. This is one of the few pies that are better served cold than warm.
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