Pumpkin Pizza with Bacon & Caramelized Onions

We had a version of this pizza at Otto’s Pizza in Portland, Maine. I believe their version was served with butternut squash and pomegranate seeds, and I still find myself thinking about it even years later. There is a little bit of everything on this pizza that screams fall flavors- the creamy pumpkin, the thyme and rosemary, and even the sweet maple syrup. This combination of flavors is absolutely one of my favorites; whenever I think about fall this pizza immediately comes to mind.

Pumpkin Pizza with Bacon & Caramelized Onions
Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes    Cooking Time: 12 minutes   Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
1- 1 lb pre-bought pizza dough (white or whole wheat)
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 large white onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 slices thick cut bacon
2 tbs maple syrup
1 tbs fresh rosemary, minced
1 tbs fresh thyme, minced
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1/2 cup gruyere cheese, grated

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. In a large saute pan, cook the bacon on medium-low heat for 4 minutes. Add the maple syrup and cook another 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon is starting to get crispy. Remove the bacon and all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add the onions to the pan and caramelize for 1520 minutes on low heat, or until they are brown in color and soft. Add the garlic, rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for another 2 minute to combine and remove from the heat. Chop the cooled bacon into bite-sized pieces.

3. Roll the pizza dough into roughly a 12 inch circle. Place the dough on a cookie sheet with a bit of flour or cornmeal underneath to keep from sticking. Poke the dough with a fork to prevent air bubbles from forming on the pizza.

4. Dollop the pumpkin puree around the dough, keeping about an inch away from the edge for a crust. Add the onion mixture and bacon in an even layer. Sprinkle the mozz and gruyere on top in an even layer, and season with a good amount of freshly cracked black pepper.

5. Bake in the oven for about 12 minutes, or until crispy and browned. Remove from the oven and let sit for at least 2 minutes before slicing.