Savory Bell Pepper and Pumpkin Pie

The savory pie with bell peppers and pumpkin is a colorful and tasty dish that combines the sweetness of pumpkin with the vibrancy of bell peppers. Here is the recipe, with an Italian touch in full respect of traditions.

Ingredients

• 1 roll of pastry crust or puff pastry (about 230g)
• 300g of cleaned and diced pumpkin
• 2 bell peppers (preferably of different colors, for example one red and one yellow)
• 1 small onion
• 100g of spreadable fresh cheese (such as ricotta or philadelphia)
• 100g of grated cheese (pecorino, parmesan or your favorite)
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aromatic herbs to taste (for example, thyme or oregano)

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Clean and cut the bell peppers into strips, and finely slice the onion.
3. In a pan, sauté the onion with a drizzle of oil until it becomes translucent. Add the bell peppers and cook for about 10-15 minutes, until they soften. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In another pan, cook the pumpkin cubes with a drizzle of oil, salt, pepper, and the chosen aromatic herbs until tender but still firm, for about 15 minutes.
5. Roll out the pastry crust or puff pastry in a previously oiled and fork-pricked pie dish.
6. In a bowl, mix the spreadable fresh cheese with the eggs, grated cheese, salt, and pepper until you have a smooth mixture.
7. Spread the pumpkin cubes onto the pastry, then add the mix of bell peppers and onion.
8. Pour the cheese and egg mixture over the top, leveling well with a spatula.
9. Bake the savory pie for about 30-35 minutes or until the surface is golden brown and the pastry is cooked.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Trivia

Savory pies, also called quiches in France, are quite popular in Italy for their versatility. Accompanied by a fresh seasonal salad, they become a complete meal, ideal for packed lunches or a picnic. Experiment with different types of cheese to discover new flavors and textures.