October, 2024 - Horizon Guest House

A slightly different variation on the classic Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Crystallized ginger adds an extra tangy flavor!

Ingredients

Pie filling

2 eggs

1 can of pumpkin puree

1 1/3 cups of heavy cream

¾ cup of brown sugar

½ cup chopped crystallized ginger

1 ½ tsp of pumpkin pie spice, or:

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

½ tsp of salt

Pastry or pie crust for 9-inch deep-dish pie

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425F and prepare the pie crust. We made our own but store-bought works just as well.

In a food processor pulse together the chopped ginger and brown sugar.

In a large bowl beat the eggs together. Stir in the remaining ingredients including the ginger and sugar.

Pour mixture into the pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes at 425F and then an additional 40-45 minutes at a reduced temperature of 350F.

Allow time to cool and then refrigerate before serving with whipped cream.

Happy Thanksgiving!

How did your pie turn out? Let us know in the comments below.

Last Updated on December 30, 2024 by Angus.

Makahiki is an ancient Hawaiian celebration that has been part of Hawaiian culture since before Captain Cook arrived in the islands in the 18^th century. The festival begins in November and ends in February, denoting both the end of the harvest, a time of peace, and a period in which the land and the produce were celebrated.

The meaning of the word Makahiki can be traced back to an early Hawaiian word ‘makali’i’ which references a celestial event marking the start of the harvest and the end of warfare. This period was recognized as a time to celebrate Lono, the god of agriculture and peace. As a tribute to Lono, ancient Hawaiians would carry out different rituals and make offerings from the harvested crops to the local chiefs.

There were three parts to Makahiki:

Ho’okupu in which offerings were made to the gods in order to thank them for the harvest of the year just ended and to ensure a productive new year ahead.
Hula, in which the hula was performed, followed by games and feasts.
Wa’auhau, another period in which offerings were made for the new year.

Games were often played as part of the festival, including:

Hawaiian sledding
Konane – a form of Hawaiian checkers
Ulu Maika – Hawaiian lawn bowling
Moa Pahe’e – dart sliding
Uma – arm wrestling
Lono Maka Ihe/‘O ‘O Ihe – spear throwing
Hukihuki – Hawaiian tug of war

Feasts were also common throughout this period, along with music and plenty of dancing.

The period of rest during Makahiki also allowed the land to recover before being planted again with new crops. Makahiki was not only a way to celebrate the harvest but also a time to take stock of the land and appreciate it as a regenerating resource for the community.

Pumpkin & ginger pie

A slightly different variation on the classic Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Crystallized ginger adds an extra tangy flavor!

Ingredients

Instructions

How did your pie turn out? Let us know in the comments below.

Makahiki: the end of the Hawaiian harvest & the New Year

Author: Angus Meek