Today’s Spotlight is on… Pumpkin Pie.

Pumpkin pie is a dessert pie with a spiced, pumpkin-based custard filling. The pumpkin and pumpkin pie are both a symbol of harvest time, and pumpkin pie is generally eaten during the fall and early winter.

 

History

Pumpkin pie originated when British colonists baked a hollowed-out pumpkin in hot ashes. The first version was more like a pudding than a pie.

Here are some other milestones in the history of pumpkin pie:

• In 1651, French chef François Pierre de la Varenne published the first recipe for pumpkin pie with a crust.
• In 1670, English writer Hannah Woolley published a recipe for a pie filled with alternating layers of pumpkin and apple, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
• In 1796, Amelia Simmons published American Cookery, the first cookbook written by an American and published in America. The book contained a recipe for a sweet pumpkin pie that’s similar to modern pies.

Pumpkin pie became a Thanksgiving tradition in the early 18th century.  The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 between the Wampanoag Tribe and Plymouth Colonists in New England.  It was a celebration of a successful harvest.  There’s no record of pumpkins or pumpkin pie being served at the first Thanksgiving. However, it’s said that pumpkins were served at the celebratory dinner.

By the early 18th century, giving thanks for a bountiful autumn harvest with an annual celebratory feast had become an important regional holiday in colonial New England. Pumpkin pie earned its iconic place at the table. In the 1800s, the pumpkin became a totem of the fight to abolish slavery in America.

Pumpkin pie is a historic ingredient of Christmas. In the United States, December 25th is National Pumpkin Pie Day. However, many people don’t know the significance of pumpkin pie at Christmas.

Pumpkin pie is a symbol of harvest time. It’s usually prepared for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other occasions when pumpkin is in season. Pumpkin pie is a favorite dessert in the United States, Canada, and Northern Italy.

 

Here are some fun facts about pumpkin pie:

• The first pumpkin pies were whole baked pumpkins stuffed with spices and apples.
• 50 million pumpkin pies are baked every year.
• The largest pumpkin pie on record was five feet around and used 80 pounds of pumpkin.
• Pumpkin pie was first introduced to the holiday table at the pilgrims’ second Thanksgiving in 1623.
• Pumpkin pie is perhaps the oldest traditional Thanksgiving dish.
• The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 3,699 pounds.
• Pies can be traced back to 6000 BC.

 

Here is a pumpkin Pie Recipe for you to try:

• 1 (9-inch) Homemade Pie Crust or deep-dish frozen pie crust shell (thawed)
• 1 (15-oz) can pure pumpkin (about 1¾ cups)
• 1 large egg
• 3 large eggs yolks
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1¼ cups evaporated milk (you’ll need one 12-oz can but you won’t use all of it)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
2. If using a homemade crust: Remove the chilled pie crust from the refrigerator and place it on a baking sheet (this makes it easy to move in and out of the oven). Cover the crust with a piece of parchment paper. Fill the crust about three-quarters full with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes. Take the crust out of the oven; remove the parchment paper and beans/pie weights and tent the edges with a few strips of foil folded in half lengthwise (this will protect the edges from getting too dark). Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the dough is dry and lightly golden. Don’t worry if the bottom puffs up; just press it down gently with a flat spatula, such as a pancake turner, taking care not to puncture it. Remove the foil but don’t throw it away; you may need it again.
3. If using a frozen crust: Follow the instructions for blind baking on the package.
4. After blind-baking the crust, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
5. Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling: In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, egg, egg yolks, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and evaporated milk. Whisk until smooth, then pour the filling into the pre-baked crust.
6. Bake the pie for 50 to 60 minutes, until the filling is just set. It should look dry around the edges, but the center should jiggle just slightly if you nudge the pan. Keep a close eye on the pie as it bakes; if ever the crust looks like it’s browning too quickly, tent the edges again with the foil strips. Let the pie cool on a rack (leave it on the baking sheet) to room temperature, a few hours. Slice or refrigerate until ready to serve.
7. Enjoy!

Make Ahead: Pumpkin pie can be made one day ahead of time and refrigerated.

 

Consumption

It’s estimated that 41% of all pies are eaten during Christmas. Pumpkin pie is America’s favorite holiday pie. According to one source, 50 million pumpkin pies are eaten on Thanksgiving in the United States. Costco sells over 2.5 million pumpkin pies in the week before Thanksgiving.

According to some sources, Americans eat an estimated 50 million pumpkin pies each year. 36% of American adults say pumpkin pie is their favorite pie.

Illinois is the largest producer of pumpkins in the United States. In 2020, Illinois produced 41% of the nation’s pumpkins. Illinois grows about 40,000 pounds of pumpkins per acre, which is mostly pie varieties for processing into products like pumpkin puree.

Illinois is the top producer for several reasons, including:

• Pumpkins grow well in its climate and in certain soil types.
• A pumpkin processing industry was established in Illinois in the 1920s.

Other top pumpkin-producing states include Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California.

 

Celebrating Pumpkin Pie

National Pumpkin Pie Day is celebrated on December 25. Pumpkin pie is a symbol of the harvest season and is usually eaten during the fall and early winter. Americans eat the most pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Pumpkin Pie Day is celebrated on November 21.

Let us know in the comments which day you prefer to eat pumpkin pie, including both.