Fignewtonville posted this elsewhere but it’s worthy of its own thread…
This is a huge debate in my family. I’m a pecan pie person myself. Perfect blend of nuts and sweetness, great with ice cream, keeps well, basically the best pie ever.
Folks who support pumpkin pie are nuts, since it is always made from a can and tastes like mushy rubber. Seriously, I think pumpkin pie people were denied all that was good and sweet as children. I pity them.
I’ll accept a freshly baked apple pie, crust crispy, served hot, but it doesn’t keep and too many folks have confused store bought pie as pie and not perservative filled suger bombs with too much cinnamon, which is what they really are.
I’ll accept backlava, russian tea cookies, and cheddar cheese as a change of pace dessert.
Also, Turkey tastes best when you butterfly the bird before cooking.
And finally, follow Mike Dukakis and make turkey soup.
I love Thanksgiving. Even if my inlaws screw up the cooking and consistently give me food poisoning (true story).
Discuss.
Pecan pie, but I will eat any and all pies. Also, I love Thanksgiving! I like turkey but for me it is all about the sides.
Thanksgiving is all about the stuffing: Sage , Sausage, Pepper and Celery!! No nuts, no grapes (or any fruit)
Pecan pie, all the way. I’m with you fig.
Sweet potato: like pumpkin, but with flavor.
But pecan is a close second.
Fig I am disappointed at your divisiveness by rallying against pumpkin pie. 🙂 Pumpkin pie is my favorite and I love most things pumpkin with the exception of fake pumpkin items. I think the rest of my family however favors apple pie. We have been picking up ones prepared by a local farm that you bake at home and they are quite delicious. These are just apples and a bit of liquid in side but the directions have you brush the top with milk then sprinkle sugar on top. I also had a touch of cinnamon. Very natural tasting and not overly sweet.
My first vegan Thanksgiving! No animals will suffer this time for me to enjoy the holiday.
No pie for me.
Just lots of turkey potatoes and stuffing.
I invented a twist this year. Stuffing waffles. Make stuffing add a couple eggs and cook in a buttered waffle press till crispy. Top with turkey and hot gravy. Yum.
I’m with Newtoner. This will be my 34th vegetarian Thanksgiving. #CompassionIsCool. Not to mention healthier for humans, better for the environment.
@Newtoner and Emily Norton yes!
@Jake you will not be surprised to hear that when State Rep. Ruth Balser and I spoke about carbon pricing and climate change at Lasell College yesterday, one of the students asked why we hadn’t brought up the greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector, particularly agribusiness. The younger set get this in a way the older generations never have.
I’m fine with the folks who are meatless, but THEY MUST ANSWER THE PIE QUESTION.
Must we change the subject from the glorious nature of pie.
Or at least post a stuffing recipe. (mine is meatless btw. Tastes amazing. It is like a savory pie.)
(in all seriousness, I could completely go meatless for thanksgiving)
Sample menu:
Stuffing (no chicken, made in oven, with toasted almonds)
Deviled egg with harissa and pepper (well crap, that’s sort of meat, but ignore this if you want)
Sweet potato cassarole with brown suger/nut topping
Stuffed mushrooms
Jello mold with whipped cream filling and fresh fruit
Salad
fresh baked bread with butter
Pecan pie
That is basically my favorites. Turkey is fine, but I could eat the above and be fat and happy. Happy and fat.
Also, Mike is my new favorite person. I’m SO doing that stuffing in the waffle thing. I love my waffle maker.
Stuffing pie!!
I’m just realizing you said vegan. Ok, I could go meatless, but I need butter and milk. And ideally eggs.
Good pie needs all of those. I draw the line when I can’t have good pie. Seriously folks, I’m named after a damn cookie for a reason. I like my pie.
(although don’t get me started on big suger. Growing up where I did, non-organic suger is horrible. Suger is probably horrible all around. Google it.)
Also, Strawberry/rubarb pie is awesome as well. Blueberry pie is great too. But those are summer pies folks.
Cheers folks. Happy Thanksgiving.
Non organic sugar IS horrible. Pumpkin, apple, pecan… love them all. And they *can* be vegan, tho Crisco is not very healthy.
Wow – I am clearly an outlier here. Pecan pie might be my least favorite pie of all time. Love me some pumpkin and apple pie though, as long as the crust isn’t mushy. My favorite thing, though, are the bourbon sweet potatoes. And not to distract from the pie issue, but my adult siblings and I still discuss with horror the year my mother went rogue and put sausage in the stuffing. I think it’s been 20 years and we’re still not over it.
@fignewtonville: I recommend that you educate yourself about what animals have to endure for you to have your milk, butter and eggs. Maybe you have done so already, maybe not. I’ve decided I can no longer cannot turn a blind eye to those atrocities.
Sorry to derail your post. You did mention a turkey recipe, so I thought the turkey itself should also be part of the discussion.
And to the question: Pecan!
OMG Tricia! we hated to go to my aunt’s house for Thanksgiving because she put grapes but no sausage in her stuffing. Has to be sage sausage though. 🙂
Never in the history of Village 14 has a single question [What is your favorite pie for Thanksgiving?] presented more opportunity for me to set a new thumbs down record…
I haven’t had pie, cake, ice cream, pastry, candy, or any other “sweets” for more than 20 years. Not a single bite. Don’t miss ’em a bit.
This is either a really good idea or a really bad idea … I just got an email from my friend Christopher Osborn who runs Better Life food . He’s offering a half dozen kinds of home made pies for thanksgiving. What caught my eye though was “Pecan pumpkin”.
I can’t make up mind if that would be a crime against humanity or the perfect blending of two all time favorites
Slightly off topic .. here is the all time essential Thanksgiving utensil”. I can’t ever remember where or when we got it but we’ve had it for many years.
The days after Thanksgiving you put a piece of bread in it, turkey, some stuffing, a bit of gravy and another piece of bread. You close it up and put it on the burner on the stove for a few minutes on each side. What comes out is a “pudgie pie”. Mmmm
Now how about also sharing the oddest dish that’s part of your Thanksgiving.
I’ll start., In my family a traditional appetizer was always celery stalks, stuffed lengthwise with cream cheese, and topped with crushed walnuts.
@Mike Striar – and life is still worth living? 😉
My favorite is oyster stuffing, which somehow came from my Dad’s side in Streator, Illinois (oysters from a tin) but which was heartily embraced by my Mom and her Rhode Island clan (who improved things with fresh). Pecan pie, warm.
Newtoner & Emily: two thumbs up!
@Jerry – when I was growing up, the family down the street always had a side that was known within the family as “the dreaded pink thing.” After many conversations and attempts to reflect upon this dish, we believe it was a cranberry mousse.
Also, would it be appropriate to start a debate regarding cranberries as a side? Specifically, jelly or sauce?
Although I grew up in Texas, I detest pecans and pecan pie in particular. Pumpkin is okay, apple is okay, but I don’t need pie after from-scratch green bean casserole, creamed pearl onions, vegetarian stuffing free of nuts/celery/raisins, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce (the jiggly, can-shaped jelly kind and the homemade citrusy kind) and fresh hot dinner rolls. And sharp cheddar makes an excellent dessert!
Easy. Whatever Jess makes, of course.
Add me to the vegan Thanksgiving list. This year will be my first one.
It’s vegan apple crisp for me!
The old joke “How do you know if someone is vegan? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you!” seems apropos here.
My grandmother’s apple pie, hands down. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday: surrounded by family and friends; grateful for all that we have, no stress about gifts, NO POLITICS…. pure gratitude and love. I feel blessed.
My preferences: blueberry, apple, cherry or peach pie, if we must do fruit–actually I’m pretty happy with those. BUT…chocolate mousse pie or something with lots of chocolate will always be the first thing I go for….
I’m making nutella bread pudding this Thanksgiving–we’ll see if it becomes a new family tradition!
Not very Thanksgiving’ish .. but I do love a banana cream pie.
humble pie – ever tried it?
My favorite is pecan pie! My grandmother’s property was filled with huge pecan trees. She always admonished us grandchildren not to eat them before she had them picked, stored or used for all sorts of delicacies. Those pies were scrumptious. She either didn’t know or didn’t consider that one tree was just outside my (previously my father’s) bedroom window. It was a great way to pick pecans or to use as an escape route.
I make homemade, in a cast iron corn stick mold, cornbread dressing, not stuffing – the same thing but not put into the bird. The recipe was passed down from my grandmother and probably her mother to the rest of us. That dressing along with cast iron skillet made gravy and homemade cranberry sauce, made from real cranberries of course, makes the meal for me.
I generally wait a couple of hours to savor the meal before turning to pie. One year when my kids were middle schoolers we had several pies to pick from. No one chose the pecan pie right after dinner so, unbeknownst to the rest of us, my mother threw it away. Now I make sure to pick it first.
I now am going out to buy a pecan pie. I can’t wait a week.
Also, homemade cranberry sauce is so easy everyone should do it. So much suger. But so easy. I don’t add in citrus, just water and sugar.
as for worst appetizer or Thanksgiving dish, I’ve experienced several.
Aspic with meat was a winner. I wish I could be more specific, but really it was just Aspic in a huge mold, with meat floating in it.
Sardines and crackers with warm cheese.
Nut loaf (that actually tastes delicious, but it looks like something a gigantic Dung Beetle would bring to a party.
My favorite guilty pleasure is hot dogs in blankets. I went to a Canadien Thanksgiving once and the apps were hot dogs in blankets and mac and cheese balls. Seriously, it was awesome. And they had Pecan Pie for dessert (because I brought it). Sometimes the Canucks have it right, eh?
Once I went to a Thanksgiving dinner with no mashed potatoes. Almost as bad: going to a Thanksgiving dinner with instant mashed potatoes.
Pecan, and only pecan. And I just got a really good one at Antoine’s bakery.
My aunt once decided to have a low-fat Thanksgiving–I think it was the first or second Thanksgiving my husband (then boyfriend) joined us. I’m surprised he married me after that–we went home hungry.
I do love the voting on this particular blog entry. Lots of downvotes for the vegans (which I’m going to interpret to mean “I eat meat” vs. “down with veganism”).
Also some downvotes for me on crazy appetizers and this post in general.
I was just sharing my love of pie folks.
And Julia I didn’t realize Antoine’s had a pecan pie. I usually have forced tunnel vision when I’m in there…. (Russo’s also has a pretty good one for store bought)
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary. I’ll admit that most instant potatoes taste like mushy paste but give “Simply potatoes” a try. We’ve found they are quite good. We’ve used them for several holiday meals and all our guests think they are the real thing. I usually pick these up at Shaws in Newtonville, but I’m certain they are available at most stores.
Mrs. Smith’s Deep Dish Apple Pie is also a treat if you don’t want to get into the pie making business.
I don’t know why some feel it’s imperative to put out a lot of side dishes (like Jerry’s celery mix) when we’re all there for the turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes and a few side orders of vegetables. First things first.
apple
Mincemeat pie.
We used to have celery sticks filled with cream cheese and paprika (or filled with peanut better) every Thanksgiving. And boiled onions, of course. At least until that Thanksgiving where I shot the middle across the table and my great aunt ended up in the emergency room.
Anyone ever made a turkey on the grill? We’re trying that this year. Anything we should know before Thursday?
You other than have a back up lasagna?
@Greg
As a kid, we had Sunday noon dinner every week after church with my grandparents. My grandmother always served a pasta course before a meat course which was typically meatballs, sausage, bruciuluni and maybe breaded fried beef cutlets.
Since Thanksgiving was a special occasion, she would make lasagna as the pasta course which we would have before the turkey.
@BOB BURKE
Peel a few potatoes, boil in salted water, add milk and butter. Mash (and if you like whip).
Why on earth would anyone make instant?
Happy Thanksgiving to all ! Just taking a break from cooking & scrolling thru the comments & had to get to the very end to see the mention of lasagna !
Yes growing up in an Italian home you barely had any room for pie ! Antipasto, escarole chicken soup, ravioli …and then a full turkey dinner with al the sides …and then pie & Italian cookies.
Enjoying hot turkey open faced sandwiches smothered in gravy was the best on Friday afternoon the next day.
Oh pie? Warm pecan & vanilla ice cream
The final Thanksgiving pie – turkey pot pie. Mmmm
Jerry. C’mon now. The best use of the turkey is a bone broth turkey soup.
Basically boil everything left over turkey wise (including the gravy if you want), use a bunch of chicken stock as a base, add water to cover, celery, onions, bay leaf, a bit of fish sauce for umami flavor if you want (don’t question me, just do it). If you want to make a smoky broth, add some spanish paprika. IF you want a slightly hot broth, add in a hot pepper or two. Garlic is good. Basically empty your fridge of lots of stuff that is good in soup.
For bone broth it needs to boil all day, or even overnight. I sometimes add water. Strain and enjoy all season.
If you want pie, order two pecan pies and enjoy one the next day.
Seriously people. Have my posts meant nothing to you? Pecan pie is a holiday food. It is the best thing about the holidays except gifts, lights, various religious beliefs, good will to all, A Christmas Story, various sporting events, sweet potato cassarole, and spending time with family. Seriously, the pie ranks right up there. Don’t muck up its glory with references to Turkey Pot Pie.
I go now, to eat my leftover pie, and look for better places to share my wisdom.
Tragedy.
My kids ate all my pie. Like the whole pie. My back-up pie is gone. Gone.
Heck, I’m not even mad. That’s amazing.
Feels like a fitting coda on this night. Good nite all.
Yes!! Always a lasagna on Thanksgiving! And noodle kugel.(One Jewish parent and one Italian) As a kid, my plate was 1/3 mashed potatoes, 1/3 noodle kugel, 1/3 lasagna.
Kugel is basically the best thing ever, next to Pecan. I’ve eaten a full plate of kugel before. Not proud of that.
And Lasagna was a family staple growing up. I had no idea how hard it was to make a good one until I tried and my Mom’s recipe didn’t translate.
And Mary, I admire your devotion to carbs. I’m the same way.
@fignewtonville – you were helpless in the face of my pie trolling 😉 Ok, no more turkey pot pie from me … until the next time.
Jerry:
Turkey pot pie has carrots in it. Cooked carrots are horrible abominations of food. Carrots should be crunchy. Therefore Turkey Pot Pie cannot be good pie. That’s all I’m saying.
Find me a carrot less turkey pot pie recipe, I’m all in.
Savory pies can be great. Visit Australia. They have awesome savory pies.
Troll away my friend.