Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Pumpkin pie vs. sweet potato: How do you make the call?

They're both dark orange, they both have smooth consistencies that are the perfect contrast with flaky crust, and they both taste mighty good under a crown of whipped cream.

So how do you decide which pie to have for Thanksgiving, sweet potato or pumpkin?

Pumpkin has that fall-harvest connection, but it's too often relegated to frozen-pie status. It's like we feel the obligation but not the motivation. Sweet potato pie recipes usually have family roots, but it gets so spiced and sweetened, it loses its connection to the fields and becomes just another delivery system for melted marshmallows.

Personally, I skip the debate and go with pecan. It's in my Georgia roots. Or I try to find the best of both worlds with a pumpkin pie topped with sweetened pecans, for that creamy/crunchy/nutty contrast.

But in the run-up to Thanksgiving, I'd love to hear which way you go and how you make the decision. What's your pleasure - pumpkin or sweet potato?

8 comments:

Nancie McDermott said...

Pumpkin because it's just as required in my family/world as turkey and dressing. But I love sweet potato and make it yearround, whereas for no good reason, pumpkin only gets its due between TG and New Years Day. Time to change that --- love pumpkin pie especially for breakfast.

VarmintBites said...

I make pumpkin, apple, pecan and maybe one other type. But if I did not make pumpkin, I would have a riot on my hands. My family does not like it when I mess with "tradition."

FoodLover said...

Traditionally in the south, whites eat pumpkin pie and blacks eat sweet potato pie. Contrary to what the author says sweet potato pie does not have marshmallows on it. That is sweet potato casserole.

Julie @ Willow Bird Baking said...

I choose pumpkin for pie, since it comes out sweeter, but I love sweet potato pie too. We typically eat sweet potato casserole, so we get the best of both worlds :)

I'd give them both up for more yeast rolls and dressing, though! Cannot WAIT!

Ann from Baxter said...

We have sweet potato casserole with the turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie topped with pecans for dessert. At Thanksgiving we don't decide, we have it all!

Cat said...

Converted to sweet potato pie after moving south. Pumpkin pies often tend to have a more "watery" texture.

Would pick an apple pie or chocolate pecan pie over both any day, though.

Philip said...

Pie? Pie? Why bother with pie? Thanksgiving is the official first day of FRUITCAKE Season! With ambrosia! Yeaaaaaaa!!!!!

Chris said...

Hahaha, definitely didn't see that Pecan pie coming why chose between two when you can have a third. :P

As for me I've got to go with pumpkin, grandma hand makes it and it always turns out amazing!