Pies are a classic American dessert!
These desserts that consist of a pastry dough casing, filled with various sweet or savory ingredients, have woven their way into American food culture. Becoming a symbol of home, tradition, and abundance.
Originally settlers had a practical reason for making pies. They used less flour than bread and could be baked cheaply and easily. This sustainable food source could be rationed easily. Once pioneers claimed land, their pies began to reflect the regional differences of where they settled. Northern states favored pumpkin pies and pies sweetened with maple syrup. In Maine, blueberry crops were abundant, so blueberry pie became the official dessert of that state.
In the south, "Chess pie" was prevalent - this is a silky pie with a creamy filling of sugar, cream or buttermilk, egg, and sometimes bourbon. The Pennsylvania Dutch brought "shoofly" pies, which included savory meats. Florida utilized it's citrus to create key lime pies. Settlers in the Midwest favored cheese and cream pies. French immigrants in New Orleans created the pecan pie. Massachusetts invented the beloved Boston Cream Pie, which is more of a hybrid between a pie and a cake.
During the mid-1800's the pie craze cooled off due to concerns for diet and nutrition. Luckily, we can now create healthy pie recipes that are low in calories, fat, and sugar! We can also pack protein and micronutrients into our pies, making them extremely healthy!
Here are some healthy pie recipes that you don't need to save for a special occasion:
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