Pumpkin pie

What is Pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie is a dessert made with a creamy filling of pumpkin purée, eggs, milk, and sugar, flavored with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves or allspice. The mixture is poured into a pastry shell and baked until set. The filling is smooth and ranges in color from orange to brown. It is often topped with whipped cream or, less commonly, marshmallows. The pie is closely associated with the fall harvest and is a symbol of the season in North America.

Where does Pumpkin pie come from?

Pumpkin is native to North America and was introduced to Europe after the Columbian exchange. Early English cookbooks included pies with pumpkin, sometimes called 'pompion,' using sliced or fried pumpkin with sugar and spices. In colonial America, pumpkin was used in savory dishes and even ale before the sweet custard pie became popular. The first American recipe for a custard-style pumpkin pie appeared in 1796. The pie became a staple of Thanksgiving in the United States and later in Canada, though it was not always welcomed in the South, where sweet potato pie was preferred.

How is Pumpkin pie made?

To make pumpkin pie, cooked and puréed pumpkin flesh is blended with eggs, milk (often evaporated or condensed), sugar, and a mix of spices. This filling is poured into a single pastry crust and baked until the custard sets. While canned pumpkin is commonly used, some bakers prefer to roast and purée fresh sugar pumpkins, which are smaller and less stringy than carving pumpkins. Packaged pie fillings with spices and sugar are also available.

How and when is Pumpkin pie eaten?

Pumpkin pie is most often served as dessert during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in the United States and Canada. It is typically sliced and eaten cold or at room temperature, sometimes with a dollop of whipped cream. The pie is a familiar sight at autumn gatherings and holiday tables, marking the end of the harvest season. It may also be enjoyed on other occasions when pumpkin is in season.

Kinds of Pumpkin pie

While the classic version uses pumpkin, some pies are made with other squashes like butternut. In the southern United States, sweet potato pie is a common alternative. Some southern recipes add bourbon or pecans for extra flavor. Commercially, canned pumpkin from different varieties is used, and ready-to-use fillings are available. The basic spice mix may be adjusted to taste.

What Pumpkin pie means

Pumpkin pie is a symbol of harvest and autumn in North America, especially at Thanksgiving. It appears in poems and songs celebrating the holiday. The pie is so central to the season that attempts to limit its consumption, such as during egg rationing in 1947, met with public resistance. The world's largest pumpkin pie was baked in Ohio in 2010, weighing over 3,600 pounds. The pie is part of family traditions and holiday meals.

When Pumpkin pie is on the table

Questions people ask about Pumpkin pie

Good reading and sources

• A Brief History of Pumpkin Pie in AmericaLibrary of Congress, Article

• Pumpkin pie on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data