Janet wrote:
>
> Most of the pies I make are seasonal. We both like pumpkin pie (home
> made from scratch) but I only make it once a year, round about now,
> while pumpkins are in season.

How do you prepare your pumpkin for the pie?
I've made it from scratch twice and both times were
a real pain to prepare the pumpkin.

First time, I cut up the pumpkin into chunks, peeled it, then
cooked it, then mashed and put in a blender.

2nd time, I cut pumpkin in half, cleaned the insides then roasted
the 2 halves, thinking that was the easier way to go (but it
really wasn't).

Both times, I had to add a bunch of water just so the blender
blades would mix and puree it.

Don't want to use canned so...

That's why years ago, I tried and switched to sweet potato pies.
Very easy to start from fresh. Cook, peel easy then just mash
well - no water added necessary. Sweet potatoes are also in
season this time of year and are sold at a very low price.

I use the exact same recipe as pumpkin for the sp pies. With all
the spices added, they taste so very close to pumpkin to me.

I usually only make a couple for Thankgiving or Christmas. Last
few years, I just bought one. The taste is always fine but
commercial crust is never as good as homemade.