Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Delicious Pumpkin Pie

"Over the River and Through the Wood, to Grandmother's House we go!" This verse has long been associated with going home for Thanksgiving. But did you know that when Lydia Maria Child wrote this poem in 1844, for her book Flowers for Children, Vol. 2, the original poem included six verses that began "Over the river and through the wood, to Grandfather's House we go."

Lydia Maria Child was a 19th Century novelist, journalist and teacher, who wrote extensively about the need to eliminate slavery. She named her poem, "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day" and wrote it to commemorate visits to her Grandfather's House as a child.

The original poem included six verses, the last two of which are:

    Over the river, and through the wood
    When Grandmother sees us come,
    She will say, "O, dear, the children are here,
    bring a pie for everyone."

    Over the river, and through the wood--
    now Grandmother's cap I spy!
    Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
    Hurray for the pumpkin pie!

Here's a pumpkin pie recipe that my own grandmother used at Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Pie

1-1/4 cups pumpkin puree, canned or fresh
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup evaporated milk, diluted
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inch)

Combine pumpkin, sugar, salt, spices, and flour in a medium mixing bowl. Add eggs; mix well. Add evaporated milk, water, and vanilla; mix well. Pour into pastry-lined pie pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and bake for about 35 minutes longer, or until the center is set.