If you’ve visited the south, you might already be familiar with this rare heirloom variety. Bred by the Cherokee Nation in the 1800s in what is now western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and northern Georgia, it quickly became the preferred Appalachian Thanksgiving pie filling. While it remains relatively unknown here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s experiencing an revival among home gardeners and small farmers thanks to the efforts of seed savers.
History aside, here’s why you might you consider forgoing the butternuts and giving this whopper a place in your garden instead:
1. They’re huge, averaging between 10 and 15 pounds. The one featured here weighed twice as much as my nine-pound pooch, pictured for scale.
2. They keep forevah–up to six months if properly cured and stored–and they get sweeter over time.
3. The flavor and texture are dreamy and versatile. Smooth and sweet, but not too sweet. You might even get a thumbs up from those who “don’t like squash.”
4. They’re impressive to grow and fun to give away to your awestruck neighbors.
5. This is a vegetable with an actual cult following. Don’t believe me? Check out how psyched this North Carolinian is about being gifted a candy roaster.
Here’s the recipe we use for Candy Roaster Pie, modified slightly from the one offered by Sage Trifle. To prepare a squash, I divide it, clean it, bake it, and store the remainder in the freezer in two cup portions.
Your favorite pie crust +
2 cups candy roaster squash puree
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup evaporated milk
3 Tbsp. melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground sumac (or 1 Tbsp lemon juice, or omit)
Stir all ingredients together, then beat with electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Pour mixture into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 – 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Don’t skip the whipped cream.
You can also use more traditional pumpkin pie spices. Experiment to suit your taste. I like this combo because it compliments the delicate flavor of the veg without overwhelming it.
***Want to add this squash to your 2020 garden? Send your order to [email protected]. We’ve got ’em in stock for $3 each. t
Photo credit: Appleseed Media.
