Thanksgiving Pithiviers – Vegan

Prep: 45 mins – Cook: 30 mins – Total: 75 mins

Ingredients

• 300 g / 10.5 oz solid part of butternut pumpkin / squash or sweet potato
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 small shallots, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
• a few springs of thyme, leaves picked or two pinches of dry thyme
• salt, to taste
• 200 g / 7 oz (weight assumes leaves only) spinach
• black pepper, to taste
• a good pinch of nutmeg
• 1 sheet vegan puff pastry
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans
• 1 tbsp plant milk (soy milk works well), to glaze

Directions

FILLING

1. Heat up the oven to 200° C / 390° F (20° C / 70° F less if using fan function) and line a baking tray with a piece of baking paper.
2. Peel your butternut pumpkin / squash or sweet potato and cut it into 1.25 cm / 0.5″ thick slices.
3. Brush the slices with olive oil and pop them on the prepared tray. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until the slices are soft and lightly caramelised. Allow to cool and season well.
4. Heat up 1.5 tbsp of oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add the finely diced shallots and fry on a low-medium heat until gently caramelised. Add the chopped garlic, thyme and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry until softened and fragrant.
5. Add in the chopped spinach and allow the spinach to wilt into the pan. Season with salt, pepper and a dash of nutmeg.
6. Once the spinach has wilted, allow all the moisture to cook out gently. Cool the mixture off.

ASSEMBLY

1. Cut two smaller circles (about 10 cm diameter) and two slightly larger ones (about 12 cm diameter) out of a sheet of puff pastry. I used two upside down bowls as a guide, running a knife alongside the outer edge. The smaller circles will form the bottoms of your pithiviers and the larger ones will become the top.
2. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on the surface of the smaller circles leaving a small margin all around for sealing the pastry.
3. Place a circle of roasted butternut squash on top, follow by a pile of spinach and top with a generous layer of chopped pecans.
4. Drape the larger circle over the filling to create a dome, sealing it with the end of a fork or your fingers all along the base.
5. Make a pronounced hole in the top of the dome to allow the steam to escape during baking. With the blunt side of a pairing knife, make shallow incisions (take care not to pierce the pastry) that go from the bottom of each pithivier to the top, following a slight curve.
6. Place them in the fridge for 30 minutes while you heat up the oven to 200° C / 390° F.
7. Brush the pithiviers with a little plant milk and optionally sprinkle with some coarse salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds or nigella seeds.
8. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, until the pastry is beautifully puffed and golden. Serve with a cranberry sauce and your favourite side dishes.

This recipe and photos were created by LazyCatKitchen.com, we simply shared it. Please check them out for more great ideas!

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