Man on man I missed the boat on Food Holidays: April 28 National Blueberry Pie Day. I wish I hadn’t because my Father in Law does so much for my family that I would have liked to make him a Pie.
Everyone who knows David Sr. knows Blueberry Pie is his favorite. From the first year David and I was together I have always bought him a Pie for Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Then it expanded to his Birthday as well. Even though I do this I haven’t ever made him one by hand and that would be the ultimate thank you to him.
What could be more enjoyable than a slice of, delicious, Blueberry Pie? If you were to ask me and Charlie anything because we don’t care for Blueberry Pie. Do you like it?
Blueberries, which have also been called Star Berries by the Native Americans, are one of nature’s superfoods. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they’re extremely healthy. Blueberries are one of nature’s many gifts humans can use to create a myriad of recipes from.
Super healthy and super delicious, this superfood is perfect when made into a classic Pie and that’s exactly what Blueberry Pie Day is here to celebrate! Let’s get to Baking.
One of Charlie’s Homeschool Lesson’s this week is teaching him about the History of Blueberry Pie Day.
The Blueberry is one of a few blue foods that can be found in nature. Blueberries are native to the Americas. Today, more than 690 million pounds of Blueberries are grown each year in the US.
Blueberries are not only delicious, but healthy as well. The chemicals and antioxidants found in Blueberries may contribute to fighting diseases and even preventing certain cancers.
These delectable little Berries are mixed together and stuffed into a pie, that’s certainly reason to take look! Certain researchers have found,making of Blueberry Pie likely happened somewhere in the mid-19th century.
The recipe for a Blueberry Pie seems to have first appeared in a cookbook in 1872. They used wild Blueberries that were growing in Maine, USA. However, the first printed reference to ‘Blueberry Pie’ may have been almost 50 years earlier, in the New England Farmer Journal in 1829.
The Civil War may actually have had a hand in promoting Blueberries (and, Blueberry Pie) to larger regions. After soldiers got their first taste of wild Blueberries in Maine, they developed a taste for them and took them home with to other States.
Blueberry Pie day is celebrated by chefs, restaurants, bakeries, culinary experts and pie lovers throughout the US–and some places in the rest of the world too!
Here is a couple ways your family can celebrate Blueberry Pie Day
Blueberry Pie Day certainly comes with a whole lot of deliciousness and enjoyment! Even for people who don’t prefer blueberries, which is Charlie and I. We can substitute the Berries for another berry in a pie.
Although, Charlie is like me and doesn’t care for Berries. Heck Charlie doesn’t even like Berries of any kind. As for me I don’t either can I make a Apple or Chocolate Pie?
Consider these fun ways to celebrate Blueberry Pie Day:
Make a Blueberry Pie
Americans have been enjoying Blueberry Pies for ever. Why not make a Pie this evening if you don’t have a recipe just look online. Or how about making a Blueberry Cobbler or Smoothie Charlie says.
If your not feeling up to baking or you don’t have time, there’s you can use a Pre-made Pie Crust. Fresh blueberries are yummy, but for an even easier hack, use Blueberry Pie Filling.
Here is a few ways to expand on a Traditional Blueberry Pie
- Add Ricotta Cheese to the filling, to produce a creamy twist to the standard pie. I must say this doesn’t sound to appetizing to me but it might to you.
- Add Black Pepper, combined with warm Spices.
- Toss a bit of Amaretto Liqueur into the recipe offering a Almond Flavor .
- In lieu of weaving pieces of Crust across the top of the Blueberry Pie, try a crumble-like topping that is made from oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour. Forget both of these and just use a plain Pie Crust to save yourself some time.
- For a super easy pie crust substitute, make a Graham Cracker Crust. Which I don’t think my father in law would care for. Would you?
Mothers Day is around the corner so bake individual Pies to give to friends and Family
Instead of baking a whole pie that needs to be eaten in one place, try making individual hand pies or pasties which can be easily baked and filled delicious treat that is much faster and easier than a pie made in a traditional pie pan. These are easier to to the office and pass them out to coworkers to celebrate Blueberry Pie Day!
Buy a Blueberry Pie
If your like me and don’t have time or simply don’t feel good then, head on to a local bakery and pick up a Blueberry Pie. Or pick up a Frozen Pie at your favorite grocery store.
Bakeries have been known to host Blueberry Pie Day events or giveaways helping promote the celebration.
Host a Pie-Eating Contest
Is something fun I thought of doing with the kids in our neighborhood. But with David and I being on a diet it wouldn’t work because David would want to enter the contest.
To teach Charlie to give back we could raise money for our Local Animal Shelter and ask local bakeries to donate Pies for us. As well as friends and family to donate on how many pies the kids can eat.
Have rules in place like “the winner is the one who eats the most pie in 60 seconds”. Or each person gets one pie and the winner is the one who eats it the fastest.
Don’t forget to provide protective gear for the people, the table, and the floor!
Learn Some Fun Facts About Blueberries (and Pie!)
Interesting pieces of information to share with friends and family.
- Blueberries are native to North America, where the bulk of them continue to be grown today.
- Growing blueberries requires very specific conditions, including moist soil that has certain acidity and pH levels.
- Blueberry season lasts from April through October, with peak season in June. Harvesting begins in the south in the late spring and works its way north throughout the season.
- Blueberries are one of the only natural foods that are truly blue in color.
- The pale, powder-like protective coating on the skin of blueberries is called “bloom.”
- A blueberry extract diet improves balance, coordination, and short-term memory in aging rats.
- Blueberries are the official berries of Nova Scotia, Canada.
- The anthocyanin present in blueberries is good for eyesight.
Recipe:
¾ cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie or a Pie Shell already prepared
1 tablespoon butter
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Step 2 Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over blueberries.
- Step 3 Line pie dish with one pie crust. Pour berry mixture into the crust, and dot with butter. Cut remaining pastry into 1/2 – 3/4 inch wide strips, and make lattice top. Crimp and flute edges.
- Step 4 Bake pie on lower shelf of oven for about 50 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
