A day of giving thanks is approaching. However, there should be something to be thankful for each day. Little things like a hot, fresh brewed cup of coffee on a cold morning. A hug just when you need one. Finding money in the pocket of a coat you haven’t worn since last winter. Then there are big things like life itself. Life brings new moments to cherish, people to meet, places to go, things to do, and food to eat. A gingered butternut squash tart should be one of those foods to eat and soon.
Say goodbye to the old pumpkin pie. Butternut is the new pumpkin. You might as well make a tart instead of a pie while you are at it. Tarts are much prettier anyway. The crust is easy to make. All you have to do is chop up ginger snaps with sugar in a food processor then add some melted butter. Press it into the tart pan and bake for a few minutes. It’s so much better than dealing with pie crust. The filling is just as easy. Mash or whip cooked butternut and stir in ginger, cinnamon, evaporated milk, and eggs. Pour it into the crust then bake and cool. A simple topping of whipped cream and a garnish of crystallized ginger finishes it to a elegant dessert.
I got a little photo happy with this tart. I couldn’t settle on which photos to include so there are a few extra. Here’s an overhead shot:
A slice needs a closeup too. Look at that brown crust under the orange filling. It’s topped off with whipped cream and sparkling ginger. That slice disappeared rather quickly after this photo:
What do you have to be thankful for? The Sunday Supper contributors are sharing their thanks and recipes to go along with them. Our Being Thankful event is hosted by the lovely Paula of Vintage Kitchen Notes. There is a list below of recipes and you can click on them to go to their posts and read what they are sharing. What do I have to be thankful for? Sunday Supper is one of them. Why? Because of it I have connected with wonderful people and have made friends I never would have otherwise. It has also given me inspiration, support, opportunity, and so much more.
Do you like winter squash? Check out my butternut squash soup, skillet buttercup squash with bacon, and baked acorn squash.
Gingered Butternut Squash Tart
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 6 ounces ginger snaps about 24
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
For the filling:
- 1 butternut squash
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 2 eggs beaten
For tart topping and garnish:
- Whipped cream
- Crystallized or candied ginger
Instructions
For the crust:
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom (or use a non-stick cooking spray).
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In a food processor fitted with the knife blade, combine gingersnaps and sugar. Process until finely ground.
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Add melted butter and pulse until crumbs are moistened.
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Transfer moistened crumbs to the tart pan. Press into the bottom and partially up the sides.
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Bake crust for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool crust completely.
For the filling:
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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Slice squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard seeds and stringy flesh.
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Place squash halves cut side down in a large baking dish. Add about 1/2-inch hot water to the dish. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.
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Drain and allow squash to cool to room temperature. Scrape out the flesh into a bowl and discard skin. Mash squash or beat squash thoroughly until smooth.
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Measure 2 cups of mashed squash and place it in a large bowl. Store remaining squash in the refrigerator for other uses.
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Add sugar, ginger, cinnamon, salt, evaporated milk, and eggs to the bowl. Stir to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
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Pour mixture into the crust in the tart pan.
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Bake for 40 minutes, or until lightly browned and the center of the tart is set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
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Remove tart from the pan and place on a serving platter or cake stand.
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If the tart does not easily come out of the pan, use a butter-type knife to separate the edges of the tart from the pan first. Poke the knife down in the curves of the edge between the pan and the tart.
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Top tart with whipped cream and garnish with chopped crystallized or candied ginger.
Recipe Notes
A recipe for a gingered butternut squash tart. The tart has a crust made with crushed ginger snaps and a filling of cooked butternut squash, ginger, and cinnamon.
Recipe adapted from one in the Southern Living 1987 Annual Recipes cookbook (out of print).
Here are more Thanksgiving and Hanukkah recipes:
FIRST COURSE / APPETIZERS
- Harvest Soup from Bea of The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Horseradish Cranberry & Herbed Cheese Bites from Jen of Juanita’s Cocina
- Savory Rosemary Baklava with Brie from Christie of A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
SAVORY BREADS + STUFFING
- Cloverleaf Rolls from Micha of Cookin’ Mimi
- Freeze and Bake Buttermilk Biscuits from Stacy at Food Lust People Love
- Picnic Roll from Linda of The Urban Mrs
- Raspberry and Brie Crescent Rolls from Karen of In The Kitchen With KP
- Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo and Craisins from Isabel at Family Foodie
- Easy Gluten-Free Corn “Bread” Stuffing from Laura at Small Wallet Big Appetite
MAIN DISHES
- Eggless Herb and Garlic Fresh Pasta from Sarah at What Smells So Good?
- Honey Orange Turkey Breast from Cindy at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
SIDE DISHES
- Brussels Sprout Latkes from Susan at The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Cheesey Scalloped Potatoes from Shaina at Take A Bite Out Of Boca
- Cornucopia Sweet Potato Barley Salad from Wendy at The Weekend Gourmet
- Creamy Scalloped Corn from Alaiyo at Pescetarian Journal
- Fried Smashed Potatoes from Renee at Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Grandpa’s Simple Stuffing from Bobbi at Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Green Beans with Pecans and Cranberries from Tara at Noshing With The Nolands
- Honey and Cinnamon Glazed Sweet Potatoes from Jennifer at Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Italian American Turkey Dressing from Anne at Webicurean
- Loaded Mashed Potato Bake from Lori at Foxes Love Lemons
- Maple Sweet Potatoes with Browned Butter Pecan Topping from Brianne at Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Mushroom and Barley Casserole with Bacon, Gruyere and Spinach from Heather at Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Blue Cheese from Sarah at Curious Cuisiniere
DESSERTS + SWEET BREADS
- Almond Brioche Sticky Buns from Alice at Hip Foodie Mom
- Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts from Nicole at Daily Dish Recipes
- Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie from Cheryl at Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Blue Ribbon Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake from Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
- Bourbon Pecan Pie from Julie at The Texan New Yorker
- Chocolate Moussecake from Liz at That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Cinnamon Rolls from Conni at The Foodie Army Wife
- Gingered Butternut Squash Tart from Renee of Magnolia Days
- Hanukkah Lemon Star Cookies from Shannon at Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Manischewitz, Cranberry Double Holiday Donuts from Kim at Ninja Baking
- Mini Maple Sweet Potato Pies from Holly at Mess Makes Food
- Mini Pumpkin Pies from Nichole at Casa de Crews
- Mom’s Custard Pie from Courtney at Neighborfood
- No Bake Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake from Tammi of Momma’s Meals
- Plum and Blackberry Crumble from Katy at Happy Baking Days
- Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake from Heather at girlichef
- Salted Butterscotch Pudding from Jane at Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie from Laura at Pies and Plots
- Sweet Potato Gingersnap Pie from Paula at Vintage Kitchen Notes
All American Wine Pairing Guide for Being Thankful #SundaySupper from Martin at ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? Click here → Sunday Supper Movement
The Ninja Baker says
I’m thankful to have met you in 2013 Renee! And I am as always grateful for yet another Magnolia Days recipe for deliciousness…Gingersnap goes so well with pumpkin…But if the Southern gourmet belle says butternut squash is in vogue…Well, I’d better jump on the bandwagon!
=)
Renee says
I am also so glad we got to meet IRL this year. I hope we can meet again soon.
Katy says
That is a beautiful tart! I like the twist of using butternut squash rather than the usual pumpkin and I love the color contrasts – basically I am pinning this to make at the next opportunity! Thank you for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!
Renee says
Happy Thanksgiving to you Katy and thanks a for the pin!
Family Foodie says
What an awesome idea for butternut squash. I can see how you could get photo happy… these pics are beautiful and I love the color combination.
Today, I am thankful for our friendship. You mean the world to me.
Renee says
I am very thankful for our friendship Isabel and I can’t wait to have more adventures with you.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
I am thankful I got to meet you IRL last month! Cheers to another meeting in the coming year!
Renee says
Cheers to you Dorothy and I do hope we get to meet IRL again in the coming year.
Stacy says
I see why you got a little snap happy, Renee. Your tart turned out so pretty!
Renee says
Thanks Stacy! I could hardly stop taking photos. I just love the way this tart looks.
Tom @ Waegook Tom says
This sounds absolutely amazing, Renee – and surprisingly simple. I may actually have to give this one a try. If it comes out looking just half as nice as the one in your photos, I’ll be happy 🙂
Renee says
Thank you Tom and I hope you do give it a try.
Beate says
WOW!!! This tart looks amazing, and yes pumpkin move over it is the time of the butternut squash 😉
Yes, I agree there are so many little things that we all should be thankful for. Not just the big things…thank you for reminding me of that.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Renee says
Thank you very much Bea and I wish you and your family and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Constance Smith says
I think I would get photo happy too, it’s a beautiful dessert!
Renee says
Thanks Connie and I had so much fun taking all the photos.
Laura says
I have been finding a lot of recipes for butternut squash pies and I have been dying to try one. Pumpkin pie is not a favourite of mine but since I find butternut squashes nicer then pumpkins in general I bet I would like it.
Renee says
Thanks Laura and I’m not a fan of the typical big orange pumpkin either. I do prefer the other varieties and winter squash like butternut.
Nicole says
This is quite possibly the most gorgeous tart I have ever laid eyes on. This would look absolutely beautiful on any holiday table, and I love the gingered butternut squash… that sounds divine!
Happy Thanksgiving Renee, hope your holiday is wonderfully special!
Renee says
Thank you so much Nicole and I hope you and your family has a lovely Thanksgiving.
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
Renee,
I love this! Twist on the good ole pumpkin pie. . I must try this. . I absolutely love butternut squash and i’m sure the candied ginger just puts this over the top! yumm!!
Renee says
Yes, the candied ginger gives it a little extra. It adds a nice kick to a sweet dessert.
Shaina says
As soon as I saw the ginger snap crust I was sold!
Renee says
I very much like the ginger snap crust. It’s such a nice change from the usual with graham crackers.
Tara says
Gorgeous and I love ginger in desserts especially at this time of year!!!
Renee says
I also think of ginger as a fall or winter spice. I wonder if it comes from gingerbread being so popular this time of year.
Martin D Redmond says
What a fantastic dessert Renee! It looks amazing! Pinning and stumbling!
Renee says
Thanks a bunch Martin and I appreciate the pins and stumbles.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Lovely photography, Renee! And I think tarts are the new pies. All of my Thanksgiving “pies” will be done in tart pans this year. I think they’re just prettier and more formal. Especially because I’m TERRIBLE at getting a nice looking edge on a pie crust. A tart pan does all the work for you!
Renee says
I’m not so great at getting a pretty crust on a pie either. It’s the same reason I like tarts.
Liz says
What a gorgeous tart, Renee! From the gingersnap crust to the squash filling to the ginger and whipped cream topping, it’s truly a winner. Have a lovely Thanksgiving, my friend!
Renee says
Thanks Liz and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
What a fun idea to swap the squash! And, I love the candied ginger on top. Delicious!
Renee says
The candied ginger really gives it an extra “bite”. I love the way crystallized ginger is a sweet/hot treat.
Bill says
This tart looks so delicious, Renee! I love sweet potato pie and this is a great alternative. Definitely need to try this one. Thanks for a great post!
Renee says
Thanks Bill and I do enjoy a good sweet potato pie too.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
This really sounds great!
Renee says
Thanks Anita
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Butternut totally is the new pumpkin! And I imagine it goes just perfectly with ginger.
Renee says
Oh yes, ginger and butternut is a great combination.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
You’re so right, Renee. There is much to be thankful for and I try to remind myself of that everyday. Thank you for the wonderful comment you left on my most recent post. It always fills me with so much appreciation and joy to know what good friends I’ve made through my blog. And girl, post as many photos of this tart as you want – it looks incredible and your photos are gorgeous! It’s ALMOST too pretty to eat (but you know I’d have no problem polishing off several slices).
Renee says
It was tough to cut into such a pretty tart however it was worth it because of it being so good. I appreciate our friendship and glad we connected through blogging. Best to you Nancy.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I have a crookneck squash, same texture, I need to make and this sounds perfect!
Renee says
I haven’t cooked with crookneck squash yet. I’m adding it to my to-do list.
Laura Dembowski says
Such a beautiful tart! Totally agree that we should find little things to be thankful for each day.
Renee says
Thank you Laura and it is so true that the little things can really be something to be thankful for.