A bean pie is a sweet custard pie whose filling consists of mashed beans, usually navy bean, sugar, eggs, milk, butter and spices.[1] Common spices and flavorings include vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Variations can include cloves, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and lemon extract.
 A selection of bean pies | |
| Type | Pie |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients |
|
History
editIn 1884, a recipe for bean pie was published in the New Kentucky Home Cook Book, contributed by Lucy Keith and compiled by the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Maysville, Kentucky.[2] According to her obituary, "she was a typical daughter of the old South, noted for her kindness and charity and was a life long member of the M.E. Church, South."[3]
Bean pies are now commonly associated with African American Muslims' cuisine as an alternative to soul foods, except those containing vanilla extract or imitation vanilla extract as they contain alcohol.[4] The pies are also specifically associated with the Nation of Islam movement and Elijah Muhammad, who encouraged their consumption instead of certain ingredients associated with soul food.[1][5][6]
Members of the community commonly sell bean pies as part of their fundraising efforts. The bean pie was allegedly introduced by Elijah Muhammad, who was a restaurateur in the 1910s and 1920s prior to founding the Nation of Islam in 1930.[1][5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Anastopoulo, Rossi (November 13, 2018). "The Radical Pie That Fueled a Nation". Taste. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ New Kentucky Home Cook Book. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Methodist Publishing House. 1884. p. 228.
- ^ "Mrs. Lucy M. Keith". The Public Ledger. February 4, 1918.
- ^ "No Fail Bean Pie Recipe". Allrecipes. June 17, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ a b Sula, Mike (2013-11-18). "Bean pie, my brother?". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "Bean Pie". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
