Thanksgiving just isn’t complete at many of our tables without Pumpkin Pie. Would you agree?
That pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon scent of a baking pie, be it Grandmother’s recipe or Libby’s suggestions off the side of the pumpkin can, is standard beloved aromatherapy of the season, so it’s with a smile and a wink that I post this recipe for you today. If not for the Turkey Day table, it might be a great additional to next Sunday’s dinner!
My friend Donna Schwenk has recently launched her new book called Cultured Food for Health. On page 154 of this wonderful book she offers a “Raw Kefir Pumpkin Pie”.
Okay, so ‘raw’ kind of defeats the aromatic aspect of the traditional celebration, but I’m hoping the greater value of this recipe may pique your interest, since it will provide so very many helpful probiotics for your family’s digestive tracts. I’m sitting here laughing at the image of a pie filled with multitudes of good bacteria. And it’s really the truth.
Kefir packs between 30 and 56 different types of bacteria, and research on the health of the gut shows over and over that diversity is the key – the more different types of good guys, the stronger your immune system seems to be. Let me know if you try this, and how you like it!
Donna’s Raw Kefir Pumpkin Pie
Makes 8 servings
For the Probiotic-Packed filling
1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 3 to 4 hours in water and then drained
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup Kefir Cheese
½ cup maple syrup (or a zero calorie sweetener like erythritol/lohan)
½ cup coconut oil, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For a raw crust (or of course, you can make your own recipe or pick up a frozen gluten free one!)
1 cup walnuts
1cup pecans
1 cup raisins
Pinch Celtic Sea Salt
To make the probiotic filling, combine the cashews, pumpkin, kefir cheese, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a blender or food processor on high speed. Pulse until completely smooth. This can take a few minutes.
To assemble the crust, pulse the walnuts and pecans in a food processor until they’re crumbs, then add the raisins and salt and pulse until the moisture begins to stick together.
Pour the filling into the crust, then cover it with plastic wrap.
Place the pie in the freezer until solid, about 5 hours. Before slicing and serving, let the pie sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften a little.
Donna offers a wonderful recipe in her book to make Coconut Whipped Cream to top this fabulous pie! You’ll find it on page 179 of the book when you bring one home for your very own.
As an alternative, I like to whip up some organic heavy cream and add a bit of stevia or zero calorie sweetener to taste. And let’s not forget the eternal crowd pleaser – delicious ice cream as a pie topping.
Whatever your combination, I wish you a Happy Healthy Joyful Thanksgiving filled with lots of great food and love all around! Don’t forget those probiotics! They love you too!