I am such a pie lover. I love flaky pastry and the way it falls all over the place when you bite into it. I don’t eat a lot of pies but when I do, I often opt to make it at home and make my fillings a bit healthier.

Pastry is so carby and full of yummy butter and fat. So I decided eat this as a lunch meal and omit fats from the filling. Instead I opted to steam the Hubbard squash and added dry spice and protein to it.

The filling is extraordinary. Not only is it tasty, but it has 4 tbsp’s of pea protein. That’s 45 grams of pure protein in this pie. I also used spices that boost the immune system for added support this winter.

Did you know: Hubbard is a starch that’s high in antioxidents. It’s commonly referred to as a vegetable, but it’s actually a fruit. It has a low calorie spec, but it’s nutrient dense. 1 cup of squash has 52% of the Vitamin C recommended daily intake. So during this time of Covid, this pie is one for the arsenal. Hubbard is also full of fiber and contains a host of other vitamins, notably, vitamin A, C, E, B, B1, B3, B6, B9, magnesium, potassium and manganese.

Ingredients

1/2 Hubbard Squash (Peeled and cubed)

4 tbsp pea protein (I use the Whole Foods brand)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chili flakes

1 tsp cayenne pepper spice

1 tsp dry rosemary

1 tsp sumac

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground allspice/nutmeg

2 tbsp honey

2 sheets of flaky pastry (I use the Woolies store-bought version)

1 egg for glazing your pie

sesame seeds for dusting

If you’re gluten-free, click on the link below to make your own flaky pastry.

Method

1. Steam the Hubbard in the microwave for 6 minutes. Let it stand for 2 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, mash the squash with a fork and add all the spices, salt, pea protein powder and honey.

3. Mix everything with the same fork and taste. Adjust the salt to your liking.

4. In a large, oiled, dish, cover the base with one sheet of pastry.

5. Add the Hubbard filling and spread evenly across the dish.

6. Cover the filling with another sheet of pastry. This doesn’t need to be perfect, but make sure to press down well on your pie to remove any air bubbles.

7. Cut three slits in the middle of the pie to allow heat to escape.

8. Coat pie in egg wash (beaten egg) and sprinkle sesame seeds on the top.

9. Bake in a hot 190 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.