Hold my hand and fly with me over the night clouds, look at the ghost and witches running, the vampires and mummies lurking and the werewolves howling to the moon. Technological development means nothing tonight, we are back to being who we really are, we are unleashing our atavistic basic souls.

I hope your Halloween was nice and scary, I would like to share with you a version of the traditional Libby’s pumpkin pie that you can use to make the most of those carved scary squashes leftovers without feeling too guilty.

This spiced, warm delicious recipe has been adapted for diabetics shaping sugar for xylitol and the traditional crust for a rye flour one which is much higher in fibre and of course, wholegrain.

To be honest, the taste was fab and I think you will not notice the difference, but it the difference in nutritional values it’s very substantial.

Ingredients (serves 8)

For the crust

1 1/2 Cups whole grain Rye Flour

1/2 half a tsp salt

1/4 cup margerine

1/4 butter or coconut oil

a splash of cold water

For the filling

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 large eggs

1 can (15 oz.) Pumpkin Pure or roasted pumpkin 

1 can (12 fl. oz.)  Evaporated Milk

1 unbaked 20 cm  deep-dish pie shell

Whipped cream (optional)

How to…

Butter a 22 cm pie plate or skillet and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flour and the salt. Add the shortening and butter (or coconut oil) un small chunks and blend with two spoons until the mixture resembles a coarse mixture.

Add enough ice water to the mixture (a little at the time) while mixing with a wooden spoon until a ball of dough is formed. Pour the dough onto a lightly floured sheet of plastic wrap and form into a ball. Sprinkle with flour the top of the dough and cover with another sheet of plastic. Rolling from the center, roll until the dough is about a half a centimetre thick. Remove the top piece of plastic wrap, turn the dough over and lay onto the pie plate leaving the top  piece of plastic on. Press the pie dough lightly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to overnight.

In the mean time, mix sweetener, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat the eggs in large bowl. Stir in the pumpkin and xylitol and spice mixture. Then start stirring in the evaporated milk.
Take the pie dough out of the freezer and let unfreeze for five minutes before pouring the mixture into it.

Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 215C. Without opening the door, reduce temperature to 180° C and bake for another 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. I have topped it with sugar free whipped cream and caramelised pumpkin seeds.

To caramelise them, just toast them on a pan with a tsp of xylitol and then pour onto a stone worktop to let cool.