 A selection of bean pies | |
| Type | Pie |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients |
|
Abean pie is a sweetcustardpie whose filling consists of mashedbeans, usuallynavy bean, sugar,eggs, milk, butter and spices.[1] Common spices and flavorings includevanilla,cinnamon andnutmeg. Variations can includecloves,ginger,pumpkin pie spice and lemonextract.
In 1884, a recipe for bean pie was published in theNew Kentucky Home Cook Book, contributed by Lucy Keith and compiled by the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Maysville, Kentucky.[2] According to her obituary, "she was a typical daughter of the old South, noted for her kindness and charity and was a life long member of the M.E. Church, South."[3]
Bean pies are now commonly associated withAfrican American Muslims' cuisine as an alternative tosoul foods, except those containing vanilla extract or imitation vanilla extract as they contain alcohol.[4] The pies are also specifically associated with theNation of Islam movement andElijah Muhammad, who encouraged their consumption instead of certain ingredients associated with soul food.[1][5][6]
Members of the community commonly sell bean pies as part of theirfundraising efforts. The bean pie was allegedly introduced byElijah Muhammad, who was arestaurateur in the 1910s and 1920s prior to founding the Nation of Islam in 1930.[1][5]
