Some pumpkin and pecan tarts.
Pumpkin pie is a sweet dish that people often serve for dessert. Chefs also create less sweet versions to use as a side dish or main dish. Either way, the main ingredient and overall flavor of the cake is derived from a specific type of vegetable known as pumpkin.
Also known by its more formal name, cururbita moschata, the pumpkin is a pear-shaped winter squash that has an elongated neck and bulbous body. The color of the skin varies from tan to light yellow, and the interior of the fruit is yellowish-orange with pale seeds that closely resemble pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin has a sweet, earthy flavor that some people describe as a cross between yams and pumpkin.
Pumpkin is best known for its bright orange color and earthy flavor.
The most popular type of pumpkin pie is a sweet version that many people serve for dessert. Similar to pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie is made with a single bottom layer of crust. Chefs often clean the seeds from the inside and roast the squash ahead of time so they can easily remove the pulp. Then they knead the pulp and mix it with sugar, cream, eggs and other ingredients. Cooks also add a variety of spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to give the cake a classic burst of flavor.
Spinach and other vegetables are ingredients in some pumpkin pie recipes.
After placing the filling in the base of the pie, it takes about an hour to cook. Chefs serve the cake hot or cold, typically topping it with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Many cooks add their own variations to give their pumpkin pies a unique look and taste. For example, some chefs may add walnuts or walnuts to the pumpkin mixture, while others may mix cream cheese into the filling to give the pie a cheesecake flavor and texture.
In some cases, chefs don’t prepare pumpkin pie for dessert, but rather as a side dish or entree. In these cases, the pie usually has a top crust and is more like a meatloaf. Instead of pureeing the pulp, cooks who bake this type of pumpkin pie often peel and dice the raw fruit and mix the pieces with a variety of other vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers, and spinach. Pour the mixture into the base of the tart, with a layer of crust on top, and bake. The result is a chunky, lightly sweetened vegetable medley that can be used as a main course or a great side dish for almost any meal.