Pumpkin Pie

It is that time of the year again.  The pumpkin is in season and the Things are asking for pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread and now pumpkin pie. 

We have a new friend, Aysun.  Aysun is an organic farmer here in Urla and every Tuesday she delivers fresh, in season produce to our home.  She travels to village farms locally as well for there bread and eggs.  Last week when Aysun brought our order she asked me if I knew how to make pumpkin pie.  Come to find out here husband had lived in New York for 2 years and had developed quite a fondness for it.  "Of course", I replied and then she sheepishly asked me if I would teach her how to make it.  "Why yes, I would love to", was my immediate response.  And with that we had ourselves a cooking "show", Hanson style of course. 

Here it was Wednesday yesterday and on Tuesday I had cut the pumpkins, and set them in a pot overnight with a bit of sugar.  There is no canned pumpkin here.  These pumpkins came directly from Aysun's garden to my home, whole.  Cleaning required.    Once you have let the pumpkin sit over night the next morning it needs to be cooked on the stove top and then pureed.  Quite a process but so worth it.

By Wednesday afternoon the Things and I were ready for our lesson, pumpkin pureed and pie crusts waiting. 

 I assumed they Things would not be interested and would rather be off playing.  Oh no, they were involved in the entire process.  Everything from rolling the crusts, to combining cinnamon and pumpkin puree.  They even made their own mini pumpkin pies in our clay baking dishes.  Not to mention a flour fight when Aysun told them of a Turkish tradition in the kitchen.  Similar to the salt over the shoulder, well apparently here they throw a pinch of flour over the shoulder.  The Things obliged and threw it directly into my hair.  Good times.

When all was said and done and messes cleaned Aysun had a delicious pie to take home and the Things and I had 4 beautiful mini pies to enjoy after dinner.  And enjoy they did, right down to the last crumb.  We all had made new memories of our cooking class with Aysun, me especially.