PETER, PETER, PUMPKIN EATER

FAIRY PUMPKINS & LEG CRAMP FOLLOWUP

We aren’t much for traditions, but it seems Barry has created a late-in-life tradition. This is the 5^th or 6^thyear he has searched out a Fairytale Pumpkin. They are usually ugly and ridged, unlike the fairytale carriage Cinderella rode in. They aren’t easy to find and quite expensive. But the pies he makes from them are beyond delicious.

When he cuts the pumpkin into huge slices to bake, the meat inside is four or five inches thick, and deep, bright orange. The baking takes a while so he can take a nap, and rest up for when the hard work begins.

The softened baked meat is scooped out and blended until it’s smooth. It’s transferred into a mesh bag. He squeezes and squeezes it before letting it sit to drain in the refrigerator overnight. This pure pumpkin slop is called puree.

The next day, Barry adds all the eggs, cream, spices and ingredients and pours the mixture into four store-bought pie shells. We bake them and freeze them for very special occasions . . . like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Barry turned the rest of the puree over to me and I finished it off by making four loaves of pumpkin bread and two and a half dozen cookies. There wasn’t a drop left. All from one Fairytale Pumpkin.

We have great neighbors, and I’m sure we’ll share a few slices here and there. But I have to admit, we are miserly when it comes to letting go of these yummy morsels. They are truly special.

Suzanne’s Fairytale Pumpkin Pie is the recipe Barry has used every year. He got that recipe online.

Now, you’re probably wondering who that beautiful blonde is peeking around the first photo. She was trying to highjack Barry’s pumpkin. But as you can see, he’s got a good grip.

P.S. For my regular readers, I was over-zealous with my rope jumping. It cured my nocturnal leg cramps, but I overdid it and developed tendonitis in my Achilles tendon. (Refer to my piece on jumping rope if you don’t know what I’m talking about.) It has kept me from working out at the gym, which is my favorite pastime. The podiatrist put a double lift in my shoe and it’s healing. One hundred a day is plenty.

I’ve had to spend my time finishing a hook rug I started during the pandemic. (Pictured below.)

This would be a great post to share with your friends before Thanksgiving.

Give thanks, and let others know about the famous Fairytale Pumpkin pies.