
These mini pumpkin and feta pies wrap a creamy roasted squash filling in golden turmeric shortcrust pastry. They are savory, slightly sweet, and perfect for Halloween parties, lunchboxes, or a make-ahead vegetarian snack.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400°F. Put the pumpkin or butternut squash and unpeeled garlic cloves in a roasting tin, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss well. Roast for about 30 minutes, stirring once, until the squash is tender, then set aside to cool.
While the squash roasts, heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until soft and lightly golden. Remove from the heat and let it cool.
Make the pastry by adding the flour, turmeric, and salt to a food processor. Add the cold butter and pulse until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolks and 2 tsp cold water, then pulse just until the dough starts to clump; add extra cold water 1 tsp at a time only if it feels dry.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until it comes together. Divide it into two discs, making one slightly larger than the other. Wrap and chill for at least 20 minutes.
Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skins into the cooled squash and mash together until mostly smooth. Stir in the cooked onion, nutmeg, chilli flakes if using, and crumbled feta. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Butter six holes of a muffin tin and line each with a strip of baking parchment, leaving some overhang to help lift out the pies. Roll the larger pastry disc on a lightly floured surface to about 3 mm thick, then cut out six 10 cm rounds. Press the rounds into the muffin tin, patching any cracks with pastry scraps.
Divide the pumpkin and feta filling between the pastry cases. Roll out the smaller pastry disc and cut six 8 cm lids. For a Halloween look, cut small pumpkin-face shapes into the lids with a sharp knife.
Place the lids over the pies, press the edges gently to seal, and brush the tops with beaten egg. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before lifting out. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Keep the butter and pastry cold for the flakiest texture, and avoid overworking the dough once it comes together. Butternut squash and pumpkin both work well; choose a dense, sweet variety rather than watery carving pumpkin. The pies keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months; reheat in a low oven until warmed through.