Parsnip Maple Pie With Pecan Crust

Ingredients

Filling

• 2 lbs parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 cup half-and-half cream
• 3 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon natural maple extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Crust

• 1 cup pecans
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons ice water

Directions

1. 1

   CRUST INSTRUCTIONS:.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

3. 3

   In a food processor, pulse the pecans with the sugar just until coarsely ground, then transfer to a large bowl.

4. 4

   Wiping out the processor bowl, blend together the flour, butter, and salt until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add this to the pecan mixture in the bowl.

5. 5

   Add the ice water, tossing with a fork until incorporated but not over-worked.

6. 6

   Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9" deep-dish pie pan, pricking the crust bottom with a fork and fluting the pie crust edges. Allow to chill for 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Line the crust with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans and bake in the middle of the oven for 7 minutes.

8. 8

   Remove the foil, beans or weights and bake crust for an additional 5 minutes. Cool before filling.

9. 9

   FILLING INSTRUCTIONS:.

10. 10

    Preheat the oven for 350 degrees.

11. 11

    On a steamer rack set over briskly boiling water, steam the diced parsnips for 12-15 minutes or until very, very tender.

12. 12

    Remove the steamer rack and allow the parsnips to cool and dry. When cool, force them through a food mill or ricer into a large bowl. You should have 2 1/2 cups of parsnips.

13. 13

    In parsnip bowl, whisk in the Half & Half, eggs, maple syrup and extract and spices, beating filling until smooth.

14. 14

    Pour the filling into the pre-baked pecan crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the middle of the oven for 40-45 minutes or until just set in the middle.

15. 15

    Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve with whippped cream drizzled with maple syrup.