This month I've been reading American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America's Back Roads by Pascale Le Draoulec (HarperCollins, 2002).

Pascale is a journalist and food critic for the New York Daily News. She decided to follow the holy grail of pie, driving along back roads from San Francisco to New York, sniffing out recipes, pie makers, and pie lore. Pie is the quintessential American dessert, and every state has its signature pie. I loved meeting the characters Pascale met on her odyssey, for pie is an emotional topic laden with memories. She discovered that no matter where she went, people liked to talk pie.

               

How well do you know America's pie map? Match up these states with the pies they are famous for:

 STATES

Maine
Georgia
Delaware
Ohio
Mississippi
Florida
Washington
Rhode Island
New York
Oklahoma
Michigan
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Oregon
California

 PIES (some are specialties of more than one state)

Peach
Pecan
Strawberry
Rhubarb
Apple
Cherry
Blueberry
Shoofly
Meat Pasty
Funeral Pie
Key Lime
Blackberry
Empanada
Sweet Potato
Pumpkin

1. Maine: blueberry
2. Georgia: peach
3. Delaware: pumpkin
4. Ohio: funeral pie
5. Mississippi: sweet potato
6. Florida: key lime
7. Washington: apple
8. Rhode Island: rhubarb
9. New York: apple
10. Oklahoma: pecan
11. Michigan: cherry
12. Pennsylvania: shoofly
13. Wisconsin: meat pasty
14. Oregon: blackberry
15. California: empanada, strawberry

SCORES:  

All 15 correct -- Pie Expert (reward yourself with an extra piece)!
10-14 -- Pie Lover (keep eatin')
5-9 -- Humble Pie (better get out more)
Less than 5 -- Pie thrower (better duck)

   

What is your state's signature pie? Any others that I haven't mentioned here?