Thanksgiving is all about traditions, and I can’t imagine turkey day without pumpkin praline pie. I always refer to my mom as my entertaining mentor, but it was really my great grandmother Francis who set the tone for gardening, canning, cooking & baking in our family. She wallpapered the walls of her kitchen with old covers of Gourmet magazine and coined the phrase, “Always make enough for the uninvited guest.” I guess it’s in the genes. This pumpkin praline pie is her creation and it won honorable mention at the first annual Pillsbury Bake-Off at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Grand Ballroom, in 1933. A pretty big deal, and our family’s culinary claim to fame!! This pie kills two birds with one stone. You have a creamy spiced pumpkin pie, with a thin layer of chewy pecan crunch between the custard and the crust. My great grandma lived on her own until she was 97 and continued to ‘learn something new every day,’ –a real inspiration. I miss her and each year this pie is a reminder of her graceful, stubborn spirit.
One prepared pie crust in a 10” pie pan. Prepare your own or frozen works like a charm, since it’s the filling that is incredible. If using frozen, thaw first for a half hour, and then proceed.