FRESH PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• 1. Pumpkin puree: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the whole pumpkin, if it will fit, or 1/2 pumpkin with seeds scooped out cut side down, in the oven and bake until a sharp knife easily pierces through to the seed cavity, about 1 1/2 hours.
• 2. When cool enough to handle, peel away the skin with a knife. If not already done, cut pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds. Puree in a food processor or mash by hand with a potato masher. (I freeze any leftovers in 2 1/4 cup portions in quart zip-lock bags. Most recipes using pumpkin puree use 2 cups and somehow there is always a little less after it is frozen.).
• 3. Crust: Mix flour and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Cut in butter and shortening with a pastry blender until well blended and the texture of course meal. Add just enough very cold water for the dough to hold together, about 1/3 cup, and mix with a fork, just until combined. Do not over mix or use too much water or the crust will be tough.
• 4. Roll dough into a circle 1 - 2 inches larger than your pie plate. Transfer dough to pie plate and prick the bottom of the crust several times with a fork. Line the crust with a sheet of aluminum foil folded and crimped so it covers the bottom and sides of the crust up to about 1/2 inch from the top of the pie plate. Roll or crimp the edges of the dough. The finished edges should be held up by the aluminum foil.
• 5. Place ceramic pie weights or dried beans on top of the aluminum foil to keep the crust flat while baking. Bake at 350 degrees on the center oven rack for 15 - 20 minutes. The crust should stay up on its own when the aluminum foil and weights are removed, but shouldn't be browned. Set aside to cool.
• 6. Filling: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together pumpkin puree, brown and granulated sugars, and all-purpose flour. Add spices; stir to blend. Whisk in milk, egg whites, egg, and vanilla. Pour the pumpkin mixture into prepared crust.
• 7. Bake until filling is set but still slightly loose in the center, about 40 - 45 minutes. If the crust is getting done before the filling, cover crust with a pie shield or aluminum foil. Place pie on wire rack and cool completely, then cover and refrigerate until serving.