Ingredients:
- 6 small sugar pumpkins, approx. 400g each, and about 4-inches in diameter (to be used as decorative bowls)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 cup non-fat or low-fat evaporated milk
- 6 tablespoons chopped, toasted California walnuts
*NOTE: These crustless, individual custards can be baked either in small, hollowed-out pumpkins or in ramekins. Instructions for both methods are given.
Preparation:
- To prepare the pumpkins, if you are using them, remove the stem end from each, and scrape the seeds and fibers from inside the pumpkins. Cut a very thin slice off the bottom of each pumpkin, so they will sit flat, without wobbling.
- Alternately, coat 6 ramekins, each about 170g capacity, with non-stick cooking spray.
- Preheat the oven to 230°C In a large bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt, and stir with a whisk or spoon until evenly blended.
- Add the eggs and pumpkin puree and beat until completely mixed. Slowly pour in the evaporated milk, stirring until smooth.
- If you are using pumpkins, divide the filling among them, pouring about 1/2 cup into each. Place the pumpkins on a parchment-lined shallow baking pan, with their tops next to them. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350ºF and continue baking about 1 hour more, or until the pumpkins are tender when pierced. If the tops are done sooner, remove them.
- If you are using ramekins, pour about 1/2 cup of filling into each. Place the ramekins on a shallow baking pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 163°C and bake about 25 minutes more, or until a knife inserted in the filling comes out clean or almost clean.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a rack to cool (cool for an hour if baked in pumpkins).
- Serve the custards warm, sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of walnuts. Accompany with sweetened whipped cream, if desired. The pumpkin lids may be placed atop the pumpkins, or at a jaunty angle alongside.