Homegrown, Homemade Pumpkin Pies

Reader Contribution by Erik Thiel
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3

Homegrown, homemade pumpkin pies are becoming the starting event to a social, seasonal, joy-binge of shared holiday moments. This year we turned 8 winter luxury pumpkins into pumpkin pie mix with one toaster oven, two afternoons, and a lot-a-bit-of love.

Last year was the first year we grew winter luxury pumpkins and found a vegan pumpkin pie recipe which involved cashews and lemons. The way the subtle, yet sweet hint of lemon blended with the soaked cashews, spices, and homegrown pumpkin forced a smile across my face through a pulse-like charge experienced in my taste buds and acknowledged by my soul. I was hooked.

The winter luxury squash was purchased from the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE). Introduced in 1893 by Johnson and Stokes in Philadelphia, according to the SSE, and residing in northeast Pennsylvania myself, I thought it sounded like a perfect fit for our garden. With one pumpkin averaging two pies, mixed with a short shelf life, this squash variety is making its way into Thanksgiving tradition.

We started seeds in containers the last week of May, knowing we would only have enough room in the garden to grow one plant. The rest of them was given to my Dad to grow at his house near a pre-existing compost site. With a small harvest taking place this season in our garden, due to an attack coordinated by the squash vine borers, I feel grateful my Dad took the time to grow all these pumpkins.

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368