Pumpkin Pie

The filling for a pumpkin pie is a custard in which the eggs set the pumpkin puree. Here, the puree is seasoned with spices and given a luxurious texture with cream before it goes into a prebaked pie or tart shell. If you keep in mind that you need about 1 egg to set each ⅔ cup puree, it is easy to use this recipe as a model for making sweet pies from similar purees, such as winter squash or sweet potato puree. Savory versions, based on purees such as spinach or mushroom, are made in the sa