Blueberry Pie
New England is a region in the northeastern part of the United States that is known for a variety of things, including its charming coastal towns, picturesque scenery, and delicious food. One of the many culinary specialties of New England is blueberries. These small, flavorful berries grow abundantly in the region and have been a source of inspiration for many classic dishes, including the ever-popular blueberry pie.
Blueberry pie is a quintessential dessert that is synonymous with summer. It’s a refreshing and delicious treat that is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a family gathering. What sets the New England blueberry pie apart from other blueberry pies is its sweet and tart flavor that comes from using fresh, wild blueberries that are abundant in the region.
To make a New England blueberry pie, you’ll need a few basic ingredients. First, you’ll need fresh blueberries. Wild blueberries are preferred because they have a more intense flavor, but cultivated blueberries will work just as well. You’ll also need sugar, flour, cornstarch, salt, butter, and pre-made pie crusts.
The first step in making a New England blueberry pie is to preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and dry your blueberries, and then combine them in a large mixing bowl with sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mix well to ensure that all of the berries are coated with sugar and the dry ingredients.
Next, line your pie dish with one of the pre-made pie crusts. Pour your blueberry mixture into the crust, making sure that it’s evenly distributed. Cut your butter into small pieces and sprinkle it on top of the blueberry mixture.
Next, use the second pie crust to create a lattice top for your pie. To do this, roll out the second crust on a floured surface and use a pastry cutter or sharp knife to cut strips that are about ½ inch wide. Lay the strips over the top of the pie in a criss-cross pattern, weaving them over and under each other to create a lattice.
Once your lattice top is complete, trim the edges of the pie crust and crimp them together with your fingers to create a decorative edge. Brush the top of your pie with a beaten egg and sprinkle it with a little bit of sugar. This will give your pie a beautiful golden-brown crust when it’s baked.
Finally, bake your New England blueberry pie for about 50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Allow the pie to cool completely before serving.
In conclusion, a New England blueberry pie is a delicious and quintessential dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Its sweet and tart flavor, thanks to using fresh, wild blueberries that are abundant in the region, makes it stand out from other blueberry pies. This pie is easy to make and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 double crust pie dough
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Roll out one piece of the pie dough and line a 9-inch pie dish.
- Pour in the blueberry filling.
- Roll out the remainder of the dough to cover the pie and cut several slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
- Gently press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together to seal.
- Bake the pie for 45 to 50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool completely before serving.
Enjoy your delicious New England Blueberry Pie!