Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie...

6-8 servings. Make pastry as directed (below) and fit into a 9" piepan, making a high fluted edge; brush with egg white and chill 1 hour. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. For the filling, mix pumpkin and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring well to blend. Set the pie shell on the culled out center oven shelf, then pour in filling. Bake for 10 minutes, reduce the heat to 350 degrees F., and bake 30-35 minutes longer until a knife inserted midway between the center and rim comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature. Good topped with sweetened whipped cream. Flaky Pastry Makes 1 crust 1 1/4 cups sifted flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/3 cup vegetable shortening or lard, chilled 1/4 cup ice water Place flour and salt in a shallow mixing bowl and cut in shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle water over the surface, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix in lightly and quickly with a fork, just until the pastry holds together. Shape gently into a ball on a lightly floured pastry cloth, then flatten into a circle about 1" thick, evening up rough edges. Using a lightly floured, stockinette covered rolling pin and short, firm strokes, roll into a circle about 3" larger than the pan you plan to use. To transfer pastry to the pan, lay rolling pin across the center of pastry circle, fold half of pastry over pin and ease into the pan; Press lightly. Seal any cracks or holes by pressing dampened scraps of pastry on top. Trim pastry so it hangs evenly 1" over the rim, roll overhang under even with the rim and crimp or flute. Pumpkin Puree Makes 1 quart 6-7 lb ripe pumpkin 1/4 tsp salt Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Halve pumpkin crosswise and scoop out the seeds and strings. Place halves in a large baking pan, hollow side down, and bake, uncovered, 1 1/2 to 2 hours until fork tender. Remove from oven and cool. Scrape pulp from shells and puree, a little at a time, by buzzing 15 - 20 seconds in a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade. Mix in salt.