Celebrate the Holidays Vegan Style with Vegan Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is definitely an American staple for holiday meals. The traditional pumpkin pie is full of dairy and eggs, not to mention the lard that is typically present in flaky pastry crusts. This has made it off-limits to vegans and even strict vegetarians since time immemorial. However, the widespread availability of vegan baking substitutes has now made it possible to have delicious vegan pumpkin pie at all of your holiday gatherings!
Start with the Pumpkin
There are many ways to make vegan pumpkin pie, but they all start with the pumpkin. Some people prefer to get their pumpkin from a can, which is the fastest and easiest way to make a vegan pumpkin pie. Be sure to read the label, though, since some of these cans contain a "pumpkin pie mix" which sometimes includes dairy.
If you would prefer to use fresh pumpkin, it's easier than it might seem. You simply wash the pumpkin while preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, cut it in half and scoop out the seeds and strings. Place the halves, cut sides down, into a lightly oiled roasting pan and cover with a lid or with kitchen foil. Bake the pumpkin for about 2 hours or until the flesh is easily pierced with a fork. Remove the pumpkin, let it cool, and then scoop the flesh from the rind.
You'll need to puree the pumpkin using a blender or food processor to make it smooth enough to use in recipes. When using your fresh pumpkin, remember that it is much moister than the puree from a can. You will need to strain the pumpkin flesh through a cheesecloth or very fine strainer prior to using it in a recipe.
Next, the Crust
Many premade crusts in the supermarket are made with lard, which is an animal product. Obviously, lard has no place in a vegan pumpkin pie! There are also plenty of premade pie crusts that don't contain any animal products; finding them just takes a little determination and the ability to spot animal products in a list of ingredients.
Making your own crust for your vegan pumpkin pie is easy. There are plenty of recipes to be found online or in cook books. In fact, many of the traditional pie crust recipes used by generations of bakers are unintentionally vegan. They can be made with just a few ingredients and make the perfect flaky base for your vegan pumpkin pie.
The Filling
Many bakers are secure with making a vegan pie crust, but when it comes to making vegan pumpkin pie filling they are at a loss for ideas. Luckily, there are many choices for this part of the pie and none of them are very difficult. The most popular option is pureed tofu. The tofu gives a nice firm texture to the finished pie without adding much of its own flavor. There can be a slightly bean-y aftertaste, so be sure to taste the pie filling as you go along to make sure the spices are effectively masking that aftertaste.
If you'd prefer to forgo the tofu for your vegan pumpkin pie (you'd be surprised how many vegans can't stand tofu!), there are plenty of other options. Soymilk, molasses, and brown sugar can combine to create an incredibly rich and complex tasting vegan pumpkin pie. Even vegan "cream cheese" can be used to make a silky and decadent vegan pumpkin pie. A wealth of recipes can be found online for many different kinds of vegan pumpkin pie.
