Pumpkin tarte

We know how it is—Thanksgiving is tomorrow and suddenly the prospect of cooking all that food is feeling a little overwhelming. You could hit one of these restaurants for the full meal, but if you’re entertaining at home, consider lightening your load with a pumpkin tart from Benoit. Pastry chef Youssef Aderdour has been selling the adorable 9-inch pies as a seasonal to-go item during the month of November, and there’s still time to order one (or more) for your turkey day. The tart features a liberally spiced pumpkin filling that’s wonderfully light and creamy, while the pâte sucrée crust lends a more refined quality than most pie doughs. Our favorite part, though, is the tiny candied pumpkin that graces the center. The little orange globe has been so carefully cooked in syrup that it appears raw, but the whole thing (well, minus the stem) is completely edible—a soft, fleshy confection that tastes of pie itself. The tarts cost $20 each and require a minimum of two-hours notice to prepare; they serve six to eight people depending on how hungry everyone is, and after a huge Thanksgiving dinner, no one should be too hungry…unless you really messed something up.