Savory Caramelized Pumpkin & Onion Tart

Recipe by Lillian Julow of Gainesville, Florida

Ingredients:

1 rolled refrigerated pie crust from a 2-crust package, room temperature
1 small sugar pumpkin (about 1 pound), halved (ask butcher to do this) *
1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil plus about 2 teaspoons for brushing squash
1 medium onion
1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large egg
1/2 of a large egg yolk (1/2 tablespoon)
1/3 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated Italian Fontina cheese
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup crumbled mild soft goat cheese
3 teaspoons minced fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and marjoram leaves
1/2 teaspoon table salt
freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup fine fresh white bread crumbs (not dried)

Directions:

On a lightly floured surface roll out dough into a 12-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick). Fit dough into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Freeze shell 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line pie shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake shell in middle of oven until edge is pale golden, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights or rice and bake shell 10 minutes more, or until bottom is golden. Leave oven on. Cool shell in pan on a wire rack.

Scoop out and discard pumpkin seeds. Lightly brush each cut side of pumpkin with about 1 teaspoon oil and on a baking sheet and roast pumpkin, cut sides down, in middle of oven 40 minutes, or until soft.

While pumpkin is roasting, thinly slice onion and in a heavy skillet cook in 1/2 tablespoon butter and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Cool pumpkin and scoop out flesh. In a food processor purée, add whole egg, egg yolk, and cream and blend well. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in cheeses, herbs, onion, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour filling into shell, smoothing top.

In a small skillet melt remaining tablespoon butter and stir in bread crumbs until combined well. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over filling.

Bake tart in middle of oven 40 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool tart in pan on rack 10 minutes and carefully remove rim.

* 1 (15 oz) can solid pack pumpkin may be substituted.

Serves 6 to 8