A Showstopping, Savory Pumpkin Custard

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Cut the top off the pumpkin, about three inches below the stem, and reserve to serve with the squash. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds and reserve them for roasting. Use a spoon to scrape out as much of the pumpkin as you can, leaving the shell intact. Chop the flesh.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and pumpkin flesh and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pumpkin is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the thyme, cayenne, and nutmeg, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the sautéed pumpkin back into the shell.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, and parmesan, and pour into the pumpkin shell. Place on a baking pan and bake until the top is golden brown and the custard is set, 45 minutes to one hour. Serve right from the pumpkin, with more grated parmesan cheese, while still hot.