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Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin pie is a traditional North American dessert usually made in the late fall and early winter, especially for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
The pie consists of a pumpkin-based custard, ranging in color from orange to brown, baked in a single pie shell, rarely with a top crust. The pie is generally flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger and is traditionally served with whipped cream, although in parts of Canada it is commonly served with maple syrup instead.
In the USA, this pie is often made from canned pumpkin or canned pumpkin pie filling (spices including pumpkin all spice); this is a seasonal product available in bakeries and grocery stores. In other countries it is usually made from scratch from whole pumpkins.
The holiday carol "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays" makes a reference to homemade pumpkin pie being looked forward to by a man returning to his family's home in Pennsylvania.
Pumpkin pie is regarded in North America as a seasonal treat, and many companies produce seasonal pumpkin pie flavored products such as ice cream or pancakes.
The record for world's biggest pumpkin pie is 418 pounds (190 kg).
Mince Pies
The mince pie originated as an oblong shape, with a crusty cover which was indented at the centre. The pie was suppose to symbolise Jesus Christ's cradle. In fact, a small pastry doll which was suppose to be the Christ child, used to be placed in the hollow. The early mince pie was actually a meat pie, filled with minced lamb's tongue and mutton. On their return from the East, the medieval Crusaders brought back spices which replaced the meat in the pie, which also became round in shape. Even though its origins have been forgotten and its name has actually become a misnomer, the mince pie remains one of the favorite treats if Christmas.
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