Butternut Squash and Feta Hand Pies
Winter appears to be in full force. If we used the recipes I’ve shared most recently on the blog as a barometer of my feelings on this, I’m clearly all over the place.
I was clearly in denial on both of these days–but for the most part, I’m trying to embrace it (while secretly fearing it will carry into the month of April, aka. our wedding), soak up the last of winter produce, and remind myself that I will only feel like cranking up my oven for so much longer.
Butternut squash might be on its way out soon, so I figured it should go out with a bang! And let’s face it, if you’re going to go out with a bang, you might as well involve a buttery homemade pie dough. Right?
Butternut squash has made its appearance on the blog more times than, well, ever this past year. I put it on top of sandwiches, roasted it with Brussels sprouts and tossed it with a simple vinaigrette, pureed it into a creamy soup, and even stuffed it into guacamole.
It was about time that I stuffed it into flaky pie dough. These things just need to happen. And while you’re at it, cheese should probably be incorporated in some way or another.
When most people think of the word ‘pie’, fruits and berries, and all things summer, come to mind. Not that there is anything wrong with that (whatsoever), but savory pies do not get a ton of love in the culinary world.
Let’s change that.
I’ve been on a mission to share a savory pie for a while now. The idea came to me in several different forms (an Indian samosa pie still needs to happen), and then eventually settled on savory hand pies.
If there is anything more fun than traditional pie, it is hand pies. Hand pies are basically classy (much better-tasting) versions of pop tarts. Miniature, portable food is always more fun!
For whatever reason, butternut squash was an obvious filling choice for me. It is slightly sweet, doesn’t contain a lot of moisture (the last thing you want is soggy, falling-apart hand pies!), and goes well with so many different things. To cook the squash quickly, I chose my favorite cooking method: roasting.
To add some contrast in flavor, I also added red onions (any type of onion would work!). The onions caramelize during the roasting process, and add a lovely, (delicate) bitterness to the final dish.
I took inspiration from one of my favorite dishes (and earliest blog recipes), and chose to add tangy, salty feta cheese to round everything out. If you’ve never paired butternut squash with feta before, I promise that you will be more than pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
While individual hand pies take a bit more work and time (this is definitely a weekend project–yet they could be stored for a weeknight dinner!), but the steps can be broken up and the filling (and well as the pie dough) can be prepped ahead of time.
Today’s pie dough is one of my favorite recipes.
It is very forgiving, and comes together quickly. Although there are several different opinions on the best way to prepare pie dough, I’m a huge fan of using a food processor. It speeds up the process tremendously and helps prevent you from over-working or over-handling the dough. It also helps produce a consistently textured dough, which in my humble opinion, is even more essential for hand pies.
Whatever you do, don’t be intimidated by the length of today’s recipe! Brevity is not my strong-suit, I know, but I tried to be as detailed as possible in order to make the assembly as clear and easy-to-follow as possible.
Although these butternut squash and feta hand pies make a perfect snack on their own (they even taste great cold!), they would be wonderful paired with a simple salad for lunch, homemade soup, or taken and eaten on-the-go!
These savory butternut squash and feta hand pies are filled with roasted vegetables, and are flaky and delicious! Hand pies can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container. To reheat, bake in a 325 degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes. Pie dough adapted from here.
Butternut Squash and Feta Hand Pies
Ingredients
Pie Dough:
Filling:
Assembly:
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 146 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 38mg Sodium: 333mg Carbohydrates: 17g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 2g Protein: 4g
I’ve never gad a savory pie, but these look delicious!
You’ve got some seriously perfect dough going on here. And that filling sounds killer!
I have been in a pie mood too! Laura, I can not wait to see what that Indian pie comes out like. My taste buds and eyes are drooling over these very cute butternut beauties.
I’ll never tire of butternut squash, even in the heat of summer, it’s still an ingredient I love to use. These look phenomenal girl.
These look amazing! Love roasted squash and the mix with creamy, crumbly feta!
Hooray for savory hand pies! Why should sweets have all the fun? 🙂 These look amazing…
Perfect timing… I have butternut squash in the fridge, and snow is headed this way… good day for a hand-pie project. These look amazing, Laura – thanks!
These look so good! I love the idea of tucking a few of these into a lunch box or something, or bringing them along for a picnic in the fall. Yum!
Oohhh! I LOVE that idea! 🙂
I love this flavor combo! And hand pors are so cute.
Hand pies are addictive. A really good pastry is a treat. I like the fact they are a savory hand pie. They look delish.
these look delicious!! quick question – do you have any advice on how to peel the butternut squash? When I use a vegetable peeler I tend to constantly hit my hand on the counter and it starts to hurt after awhile..
Great question!!! I always trim the ends the squash with a large chef’s knife, before I start peeling (so that they stand up flat on a cutting board). Then I usually hold the top away from me at an angle, with the end leaning against the counter, and peel top to bottom with my other hand. These Kuhn Rikon peelersa are by far my favorite peelers in the entire world: http://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Original-Peeler-Yellow/dp/B001BCFTWU/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1424137422&sr=1-1&keywords=kuhn+rikon+peeler
I hope that helps and makes sense! 🙂
these looks so yum – love the mix of feta and squash!
This looks so fresh and delicious! Definitely going to give it a try 🙂
These are the cutest!! I tend to think of hand pies more as sweet concoctions, but I love how you tackled them in a savory way. And with some of my favorite ingredients!
Mmm, this is like an acceptae winter version of the delicious tiropitakia I love in Greece. I can’t wait to try your recipe out, Laura.
Mmm, this is like an acceptable winter version of the delicious tiropitakia that I love in Greece. I can’t wait to try out your recipe, Laura.
This are so adorable! I love hand pies!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com