Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Fruits of My Adventure and A Grape Pie Recipe



I am still relishing in my weekend in Naples and as I promised, the recipe for the grape pie is in this post. There are some random tidbits from my trip that have created memories for me that I wanted to share with you first. If you just can't wait and just want the pie recipe already....scroll to the bottom!


This is the vineyard next door to the Guest House we stayed in, right on Main Street, Naples. I walked up to it to see if there were still grapes on the vines and the strong, pungent smell of concord grapes told me YES even before I reached them!


The proprietors of the Guest House are a sweet couple with a unique sense of style inside and out. In their backyard I found this fabulous, old, chippy boat all moored up as if it were at the lake.


 
Inside, the décor was so pretty with lots of warm browns, reds, oranges and golds for color, perfect for this time of year.

 
I happened to notice the doorknob on the bedroom door. Very unique!



Joseph's Wayside Market is a wonderful open air farm market with a huge variety of things. I hadn't gotten my gourds or Indian corn yet for the season so I picked them up there along with a Mexican Hat Squash. I don't know if you are supposed to eat it or not.....I just thought it would go perfect on the centerpiece for my dining room table I was already putting together in my head with all the things I was buying. It is that big orange striped thing in the middle that looks like, well, a Mexican hat!



I had seen a blog post on using an old piece of wood or a plank as a centerpiece and then just adding whatever decorative items to enhance your theme. I found an old plank of knotty pine in the garage and that became the base for my centerpiece. I added a vintage crocheted runner for contrast.


I picked up a bunch of Bittersweet at the grape stand for $4 (which is really cheap!) and added my vintage quail planter and some waxed leaves. I love how it all turned out.

 
On our way out of town heading toward home, we found a quaint farm stand surrounded by vineyards with lots of grapes for sale.
 
 
I learned from these sisters that the only color grape to make a pie with is the dark purple, or concord grape. The others are for eating and boy, are they delicious!


 
Oops, I forgot to take a picture of the whole pie before I just had to try a sliver of it. It was worth the not so perfect picture!
 

The recipe I used comes from Applehood and Motherpie, a favorite of mine and a cookbook I have mentioned and posted numerous recipes from. Actually I used three different recipes for this pie from two different cookbooks. My husband's boss said it was the best grape pie he ever tasted so I guess that's okay to do!

Some how-to pictures to follow.

Finger Lakes Grape Pie
 

For the Crust:
I use this crust for most pies because it is so easy and so good. It is also from Applehood and Motherpie.
 
2/3 cup shortening                                                    Cream shortening with salt. 
1 teaspoon salt                                                          Add boiling water and mix with a whisk.
1/4 cup boiling water                                               Add flour. Mix.
1 1/2 cups flour                                                        Press crust into 9" pie plate

 
For the Filling:
This filling makes enough for two pies
 
3 cups Concord grapes                                            
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Wash, drain and stem grapes. Remove and reserve skins. Simmer pulp for 5 minutes.
While hot, press pulp through sieve to remove seeds, or use a pestle and strainer.
Combine strained pulp with skins.
Combine sugar and flour and add to grapes. Blend in lemon juice and butter.
Pour into crust. Cover with topping.
 
For the Streusel topping:
I like a streusel top better but you can use your own recipe for two pie crusts for top and bottom.
This recipe is from Thru the Grapevine, another Fingers Lakes region cookbook.
 
1/2 cup quick cooking oats                                       Mix oats, sugar and flour; cut in butter.
1/2 cup brown sugar                                                  Place on top of pie.
1/4 cup flour
4 tablespoons butter
 
Bake the pie at 425 for 10 minutes and then 350 for 30 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned.

Some how-to pictures.....

 
The easiest way to get the skins off is just to squeeze the grape and they pop right off.
 
 
I used a pestle and a strainer to separate the seeds. Worked great!



The finished pie, all juicy and crunchy and sweet at the same time. This pie did not last long in my house of reformed non-pie eaters! The other one is in the freezer for another time.

 
I hope you will try my recipe if Concord grapes are available in your area.
 
Thanks for walking down memory lane from my weekend getaway with me!
 
AnnMarie :)
 
I am linking up with these great blog parties!
 


24 comments :

  1. AnnMarie thanks for finding my blog now I have found you and have become a new follower. Sweet blog.
    Kris

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  2. Hi Annemarie,
    Sounds like your weekend away was heavenly. I love your table centrepiece!
    I've never heard of grape pie before but it looks fantastic and I'm honestly going to give it a try even though I'm not much of a baker, lol.
    Hope you are having a great week.

    Robyn @ simply fresh dinners

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  3. Clever decorating with that board!!! Love it - especially the bittersweet!! And, wow!!!! Grape pie - what a delight. My grandfather's big end-of-summer treat was always freshly picked concord grapes. This makes me miss him......AND want to try that recipe very soon. Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  4. amazing - I have never heard of grape pie - grape jam, yes, I have made it for years - but grape jam, no - do you have to use Concord grapes or will any grapes do? Have a great weekend.
    I am joining you through Oh the Places I've Been

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  5. Great post! Love the idea of a grape pie, I don't think I have ever had one. Have a great week. Blessings, Debbie

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  6. Looks delicious. Wish I were there!

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  7. Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! and that grape pie looks absolutely scrumptious, thanks for sharing the recipe! I love how you used the wood plank to build your vignette, ties in so well with the natural gourds and corn...such a great idea! Love your dining table centerpiece! Happy weekend! Hugs, Poppy

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  8. AnnMarie,

    Wow! What a lovely post, so full of interesting tidbits, delicious recipes and wonderful photos!! The vineyard looks dreamy, as does your pie! I have NEVER seen a Mexican Hat Squash in my life! Amazing!

    Have a happy Sunday!

    Poppy

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  9. What a fun weekend! And I love grape pie-yum!
    Susan

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  10. Such warm and wonderful fall images. I had never heard of grape pie but it sure looks good. :)

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  11. Hi Ann Marie, it's so nice to meet you! I'm a Nana, too, to my grands. Your trip sounds wonderful and I love your table decor and your grape pie!! Yum!!! The crust sounds so different than any others. I'd love to give it a try.
    I'm your newest follower :).

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  12. Oh so yum and so interesting.

    It's a treat to have you at Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  13. It looks fabulous. I would love to have a slice!

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  14. Ann Marie, what a special trip! I love the picture of the grapes on the vine. I didn't get concord grapes this year, like I did last year through my neighbor, so I'm excited to see you got some! I've never seen grape pie. I am publishing a blog post tomorrow about making Muscadine (Grape) Cobbler, which is similar to your pie. This was a new process for me, so it intrigued me to see you do something so similar. I don't like people who give links in a comment, but I'm doing it in this case so you can see the cobbler process. I don't have the specific URL since I'll be publishing tomorrow morning, but you can go to my general address at CurtainQueenCreates.com, and it'll be there. How exciting to find a new Christian blogger at Seasonal Sundays link party! :-)

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  15. I have never had a grape pie before. It looks delicious! I also like your autumn centerpiece. I am having Thanksgiving at my home this year so I have to make one myself and appreciated your ideas.

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  16. Hi AnnMarie!
    'Grape'...great... post! Love the centerpeice. I have a concord grape pie recipe too from the Aunt Bea Cookbook yrs of Mayberry.

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  17. Dear AnnMarie, What a beautiful post. I am happy you shared the beautiful pictures of Naples. Thank you. I like the doorknob too.
    I do like the warm colors for decorating. It makes everything look so inviting.
    You pie looks wonderful too. I am sure your husbands boss loved it, whats not to love!
    I like to mix recipes myself. It is the best of all of them.
    Blessings dear, Catherine xo

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  18. I just love how you are always going on fun getaway trips! Your pie looks yummy!

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  19. I just love how you are always going on fun getaway trips! Your pie looks yummy!

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  20. Wonderful everything! thanx for joining THT. I can smell your pie from here.

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  21. Great post indeed! I can smell the pie from here too! Smells delish!

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  22. I am drooling over that pie. It looks amazing.

    Your Fall dining room looks enchanting as well.

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  23. It looks like you had a great time in Naples. The pie looks yummy!

    I usually forget to take a picture of my food as well. I usually crop the section already eaten.

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  24. AnnMarie...Your time away sounds amazing. And your grape pie...since my husband LOVES concord grapes and I love Niagara grapes...it looks like I need to pin this recipe for next year. :) Your squash is one that I have known as a Turban Squash and yes, not only is it edible...but you should find lots of recipes by Googling Turban Squash. Eaten or not...it's a great addition to a fall arrangement. :)

    Hope your week is Extraordinary!
    ~Diane

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