Homemade organic pumpkin pie is the typical pie fare at a green Thanksgiving dinner, but a really good organic apple pie can substitute in for more pie choices or stand alone as the official Thanksgiving pie.

For this apple pie I used organic apples I already had on hand, not all Granny Smith as usual

Choosing Your Organic Apples

You may have heard that some apples are better than others for apple pie. In my experience this is true to a point. For example, if I use only organic Granny Smith apples, I never have an issues with watery filling, which works out since my family likes a tart pie. If I use different apples I have a harder time keeping the pie from being over-juicy, but there are ways around that, as I’ll show in the recipe below.

On average, Granny Smith (with enough sugar to combat tartness), Bramley, Jonagold, Rome,  Honeycrisp, Cameo, Jonathon, Pink Lady are considered nice apple pie apples. More mealy or overly soft and mushy when cooked apples like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Galas, McIntosh and Cortland are apples to stay clear of. Really, simply aim for the freshest, most local organic apples you can. This will improve your pie’s flavor.

The above said, type of apples to use in pie is a pretty huge debate among serious apple pie makers and everyone has an opinion. To see what some other people think, check out the following:

• Apple pie taste test
• Lots of opinions about pie apples
• Picking the best pie apples

To sum up, you’ll need to experiment and find your own favorite apple combo. A fun way for a green family to obtain apples is to head to an organic you-pick farm or the local farmers’ market.

Organic Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

*Makes enough for one pie.

• About 6 cups of organic apples, washed, peeled and cut into slices or small chunks.
• 1 cup organic sugar.
• 2 tablespoons organic flour.
• 1 teaspoon organic cinnamon.
• A good dash of organic nutmeg.
• 1 tablespoon organic butter, if you’re making a shortening crust. Not necessary if making a butter crust.
• Optional – experiment with dashes of other spices if you like.

Organic Apple Pie Crust Ingredients

I’ve already written some tutorials on pie crusts. First read – Organic Pie Crusts 101. Then choose one of the pie crusts below to make.

• Homemade Organic Shortening Pie Crust
• Homemade Organic Butter Pie Crust

Note, that I make apple pie with a butter-based crust, because it tastes awesome.

How To Make Organic Apple Pie

• I usually cut my apples into slices, but this time went with small chunks

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie3.jpg
  la

• Mix your dry ingredients

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie4.jpg
  la

• Coat your apples with flour, sugar and spice

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie5.jpg
  la

• Get your dough ready for the bottom crust

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie6.jpg
  la

• 6 cups equals a nice mound of apples in your pie

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie8.jpg
  la

• Getting ready to make a lattice top

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie7.jpg
  la

• Starting the lattice top

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie9.jpg
  la

• Once you're done weaving, trim your edges

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie17.jpg
  la

• Press the edges of the top and bottom crust together no matter what sort of top you're using

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie18.jpg
  la

• If you have a butter crust, your pie will benefit from some chill time before baking

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie19.jpg
  la

• Homemade organic apple pie fresh out of the oven

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-apple-pie201.jpg
  la

• Make your pie crust first, especially if you’re making butter crust, which will need to chill.

• In a small bowl mix your flour, sugar and spices.

• Pour dry mixture over sliced apples and mix to coat the apples.

IF you used a more juicy combo of apples, as I did for this pie (see image at top of post) put your apple mixture into a colander over a bowl and set it in the fridge, to allow some of the juices to drain out. Some people like to add a little extra cornstarch to their dry mixture to combat juicer apples or cook them a bit first, both of which can also help reduce juice, but I don’t do this because it’s too much extra work.

IF you used a harder, less juicy apple, simply mix the spices in with the apples and you’re done. I never ever drain Granny Smith apple, for example, and my pies aren’t too watery.

• Place your apples aside and get your bottom crust ready.

• Once the bottom crust is ready, pour the apple mixture into it.

• If using a shortening crust, dot the top of your apples with your tablespoon of butter. If using butter crust, the butter dots are optional, but likely unnecessary.

• Put your pie into the fridge and get your top crust ready. Roll it out flat and place it atop your pie, then pinch the top and bottom crusts together (fluting if you like), or get your dough ready to make a woven lattice pie crust top.

Apple pie with slits cut - image ©foobean01 via sxc.

• If you chose a single sheet crust for your pie, cut small slits into the crust to allow your pie to vent as it cooks. If you went with a lattice top, obviously no vent slits are needed.

• If you like, sprinkle a little organic sugar on top of your pie (I always do for a little sparkle).

• If you made the butter crust, place your pie back in the fridge for a little bit (20-30 minutes) to allow the crust to firm up a little before you bake. This helps avoid a pool of butter in your oven. If you made a shortening crust, you can bake right away.

• Cover the edges of your pie with foil or a silicone pie crust shield.

• Bake for 25 minutes in a 375 degrees oven.

• Remove foil from pie edge and bake another 25 minutes at the same temperature.

• Take pie out of oven and allow to cool before cutting and eating. Letting it cool allows the last of the juices to set better, thus avoiding an overly juicy pie.

What kind of apples do you use for apple pie? Just curious, after the debate above.

Homemade organic pumpkin pie goes hand-in-hand with a green Thanksgiving, but it’s also great at other times of the year. Not only is pumpkin pie yummy, but organic pumpkins are super-packed with vitamin A, potassium, beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, calcium and more.

Choosing Your Organic Pumpkin

I’m not very keen on making my own pumpkin puree. It’s a lot of work and I’m not totally down with the texture (grew up on canned). However, be aware that currently there are zero BPA-free pumpkin purees packed in cans. Considering we don’t buy that many canned food items, I don’t feel too guilty about buying canned organic pumpkin. However, if you want to totally avoid BPA from cans, your other options are posted below.

• Find a local organic pumpkin and make homemade pumpkin puree - here’s another recipe for pumpkin puree. SAFETY NOTE: Canning pureed pumpkin is not recommended, you’ll need to freeze your homemade puree.
• You can substitute pumpkin butter oz. for oz. for puree. And most comes in a BPA-free jar. But it will cost more and you’ll have to taste it first, as most comes with spices added, and adjust your pie recipe from there.

Latimore Valley Farms has organic pumpkin butter. Muirhead Foods has local, jar-packed, but not organic (I don’t think) pumpkin butter, plus helpful recipes for pies.

Homemade organic pumpkin pie ingredients

Organic Pumpkin Pie Filling Ingredients

*Makes enough for one pie.

• 15 oz of pumpkin puree (almost two cups – using a flat two cups is a-ok).
• 14 oz can of organic sweetened condensed milk - IF you don’t want to use cans, you can substitute 1 and 1/2 cups organic milk + 3/4 cup organic sugar for the sweetened condensed milk.
• 2 organic eggs, slightly beaten.
• 3/4 teaspoon organic cinnamon.
• 1/2 teaspoon organic nutmeg.
• 1/4 teaspoon organic ginger.
• 1/4 teaspoon organic ground cloves.
• 1 teaspoon organic pure vanilla extract.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Organic Pumpkin Pie Crust Ingredients

I’ve already written some tutorials on pie crusts. First read – Organic Pie Crusts 101. Then choose one of the pie crusts below to make.

• Homemade Organic Shortening Pie Crust
• Homemade Organic Butter Pie Crust

Note, that I make pumpkin pie with a shortening-based crust, because a butter crust, with pumpkin filling seems way too rich to me.

How To Make Organic Pumpkin Pie

• Get your crust ready first - more important if you're making butter crust, because it needs to chill

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/pumpkin-pie-crust.jpg
  la

• Slightly mix your ingredients - never over-mix or cracking can occur

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-pumpkin-pie2.jpg
  la

• Pour slowly into the crust to avoid splatter and drips on the crust

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-pumpkin-pie3.jpg
  la

• Use some of your dough to make cute pie toppers or extra pie crust cookies

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-pumpkin-pie4.jpg
  la

• The finished super-star organic pumpkin pie

   

  http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/homemade-organic-pumpkin-pie51.jpg
  la

• Mix pumpkin puree, spices and salt.
• Add your milk, eggs and vanilla to the pumpkin spice mixture and blend in gently with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon.
• Pour pumpkin mixture into your prepared crust.
• Cover the edges with foil or a silicone pie crust shield.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
• Turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 35 to 40 minutes.
• Take your pie out of the oven right away once the middle looks almost set, and a knife inserted comes out almost totally dry, with a wee bit of moisture still on it.
• Allow your pie to cool, then store it in the fridge.

What’s up with organic pumpkin pies cracking?

Many people have issues with pumpkin pies cracking. Usually this is because, one, you over mixed your pumpkin filling, thus messing with the texture. Never beat, whip or otherwise savagely mix your pie filling.

Two, cracking can occur if you over bake your pie. The middle of a done pumpkin pie will still appear a bit jiggly. A knife inserted will come out mostly, but not 100% perfectly clean. Once your pie hits this stage, take it out of the oven. It’ll finish setting up outside of the oven.

Fun Little Organic Pumpkin Pie Touches

Add some EASY cuteness: As noted in organic pie crusts 101, I’m hilariously designed challenged when it comes to shaping pie crusts. That said, to add some easy cuteness, I make sure to set aside a little bit of pie dough when I make my crust. Then I cut cute shapes out of it with cookie cutters, sprinkle them with organic sugar, bake them for a few minutes, then when my pie is done, I place the shapes on top – sometimes just one in the middle, sometimes many smaller shapes on each potential piece. For Thanksgiving, consider sweet autumn cookie cutter shapes – everyone thinks this is adorable and they forget you suck at pie edges.

Add some frozen whipped cream: My son doesn’t like plain whipped cream, but he does like it frozen. Make some organic homemade whipped cream. Place a dollop of the whipped cream on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with a touch of cinnamon if you like and freeze. Once frozen, you can store these mounds in a freezer-safe container, then transfer to pie pieces as you serve.

Make mini pies: People love having their own mini pumpkin pies. Use some cute mini pie dishes or even a stainless steel muffin pan to make tiny personal pumpkin pies. See muffin cup pies or make mini pies in tiny pie plates and simply bake for about five minutes less than a large pie.

Add some spice and flavor: I don’t like pecans, but some do. You can grind up 1/2 cup pecans, and press them into your bottom crust, before pouring in your pie filling. You can also add spices like nutmeg and cinnamon to your dough while making it, to add more flavor.

Other Yummy Organic Fall Recipes

• Pumpkin cupcakes
• Homemade organic applesauce
• Honey oat bread
• Organic veggie pot pie

Child with pumpkin image ©Garrison Photography via sxc. All other images ©Jennifer Chait.

It’s been a little crazy around here trying to get last minute Halloween stuff sorted out (I’ll post pictures of Halloween later), but since November is almost upon us, it’s probably time to start discussing Thanksgiving. We don’t go very fancy at my house for Thanksgiving. Usually we just hang out, cook some food and munch. However, if you are going to be holding a more formal Thanksgiving day meal, then holiday place cards are a nice touch.

You’ve got two choices when it comes to place cards – buy them or make them. It’s better, and more fun to make your own, but if you do purchase some look for place cards made with non-toxic, recyclable and reusable materials. You want to buy place cards that will either recycle in whole or that will suffice for the long haul and all sorts of events. Basically, you’re not looking for just turkey shaped place cards that only work for Thanksgiving. Here are some options:

Bird Cheese Markers – these aren’t meant to be place cards, but I think they’re an awesome idea for marking seats. The markers from Beehive Kitchenware will stand up nicely if you place them in a small personal sized pumpkin pie, or another sturdy object and they’ll look so cute. Made with lead free pewter with stainless steel tines. Comes with additional standard paper labels so you can write your own or print from your computer. Best of all you can use these forever, for all sorts of cool parties.

Reclaimed Slate Coasters – These fun coasters are made with reclaimed chalkboards from Franklin Elementary School in Quincy, Illinois. Your child (or you) can use these as little place card coasters, decorating them with pretty leaves and names. These coasters also features reclaimed wine cork feet to keep them from slipping and scratching the table.

Autumn Leaf Plantable Place Card – I don’t like the bow, but I do like the idea of using these pretty leaves as place cards. Luckily, the person who makes these seems open to ideas, so you could go no bow and choose different colors. You can write the names of guests on these, use them to mark seating and then later plant them in your garden to grow wildflowers. Or send them home with Thanksgiving guests as little plantable favors.

Make homemade eco-friendly place cards:

Really, you can make homemade place cards out of so many natural and/or recycled items that your possibilities are endless. Be creative. Here are a few ideas to get you going…

• If you need take-away favors and place settings, I love the idea of using small recycled cans as little herb pots. If you get started now, you’ll have nice little herbs in time for Thanksgiving. You can have kids decorate the cans and add people’s names.

• Gather recycled wine corks. Make a small slit in the top of the smaller end and stick a slip of recycled heavy weight card stock into the top for labeling.

• Cute idea for using tiny pumpkins or gourds for place markers.

• Gather dried fall maple leaves for nature-perfect place card settings.

• Really adorable recycled turkey place card holders.

• Gather fallen pine cones. Clean well, then coat with clear, non-toxic glue and sprinkle evenly with glitter. Place small name slips of recycled paper between the cone spaces.

• Use homemade organic flour dough to form place holders in any shape you choose. You’ll have to use a permanent marker or paint to get the name on though. This is a good project for the kids though.

• Make homemade organic sugar cookies (maybe in leaf shapes) and decorate them with names. Place one near each table setting. Use this organic sugar cookie recipe.

What other ideas for homemade place cards do you have?

We don’t go nuts over Thanksgiving at my house. We get together and cook a meal, but nothing too fancy or formal. That said, everyone’s idea of Thanksgiving is different. Whether you’re hyper casual like at my house or extra formal, there’s still room to be green. I’ve got some ideas below that can help you out, no matter your Thanksgiving style.

Watch this space for more ideas as November continues…

• Throw a Green Thanksgiving Event

Eco-friendly Thanksgiving decor and crafts:

• Natural Thanksgiving Decor
• Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Place Cards

Planning your Thanksgiving day menu:

• Save money on organic food for the holidays
• Homemade Organic Honey Oat Bread
• DIY Healthy Organic & Fair Trade Hot Chocolate
• Organic Cooking Know-How – 18 Green & Healthy Cookbook Ideas
• Need organic pumpkins? Learn where to find them.

General green Thanksgiving resources:

• Celebrate Green – a must have holiday book.
• Plan a Thanksgiving tree planting celebration.

I suggest making holiday cards with recycled paper and other goods you have around the house. Or send an e-card. Both of these options are low on the footprint scale. I’ll post some good options for these top plans later.

That said, I know not everyone will make homemade cards, so your second best option is to go with cards made with recycled paper or tree-free cards. If you are looking for recycled cards and invitations for the upcoming autumn holiday season, then here are some great picks.

All of the products below are made with recycled paper and most can be personalized too. P.S. Check at the end of this post for more places to find recycled autumn holiday cards.

HALLOWEEN CARDS

• Ghostly Greetings
• Friendly Bite
• Shadow Monsters: Autumn Orange

HALLOWEEN PARTY INVITATIONS

• Tiny Tricksters
• Party Pails
• Pumpkin Silhouettes

THANKSGIVING INVITATIONS AND CARDS

I LOVE these farmers’ market cards above and think they’d be perfect for Thanksgiving. Of course you can also go with one of the three pretty designs below.

• Say Thanks
• Turkey Talk
• Blowing Leaves

THANKSGIVING PHOTO CARDS

• Crisp Leaves
• Branched Beauty
• Thanksgiving Elegance
• Thanksgiving Bird Photo Card

FALL ADDRESS LABELS

• Pumpkin Face
• Brilliant Branches

WHERE TO FIND ECO-FRIENDLY AUTUMN HOLIDAY CARDS

• Tiny Prints
• Green Field Paper Company – for seasonal eco-stationary for family letters and such.
• My Good Greetings
• Acorn Design – nothing too holiday specific, but I like many of their nature-minded cards.
• Night Owl Paper Goods
• Recycled Paper Greetings – you do have to call them to find a dealer.

Over the weekend I had some unsavory characters smash in both my front car windows, steal my cell phone, and some other stuff, so I had to take the weekend off entirely from work to fix these issues. Yay Portland right? I hate how crowded and busy and apparently crime ridden this city has become. In any case, I’ll be MIA until after Thanksgiving, trying to catch up at work and actually get Thanksgiving together.

That said, if you stop by, that’s why I’m MIA AND I hope that everyone has a wonderful, non-stressful, and fun green Thanksgiving day. Try to get out into nature and skip that Black Friday madness. I’ll be back with fresh posts after the holiday.

If you’ve gathered up all the organic holiday food for your green Thanksgiving; or at least planned the menu, it’s time to start thinking about decor. There are plenty of natural decor ideas you can use that won’t turn your Thanksgiving into a big footprint event. Following are some great ideas.

Festive Pumpkin Flowerpot – awesome and easy. Plus this will look amazing on your Thanksgiving table.

The most adorable little holiday bowl of chestnuts, which doesn’t sound like much but it’s simple and adorable.

Make your own fall wreath with a twist. I.e. not all leaves. Very cute and excellent instructions.

Flower & Spice Table Toppers – one of my favorite Thanksgiving crafts for years now. So professional looking, but easy, and nicely scented.

This cornhusks project via Martha Stewart is pretty darn unique. I’ve never seen it. The nice thing is that the leaves are of course food-safe and can even be color tinted. See full instructions with leaf template.

This last craft is a cheat, not really natural but I love the nature theme of these Thanksgiving Place Card Holders, and you could use recycled scrap fabric for them.

Thanksgiving is a busy time of year. It’s a little nuts but you can still keep it green. Following are some ways you can celebrate without compromising your eco-ethics or too much more of your time.

Get sane: Traveling during the holidays is a nightmare. It’s more expensive, it’s stressful, and it keeps your emissions nice and high. Staying put at home is a great way to cut stress and save gas and resources. Ah sanity.

Get real: Real cloth napkins and cloth tablecloths, actual reusable dishes, and banning paper or plastic toss away cups is a great place to start. If you don’t have special holiday dishes and want some low cost options check out your local thrift store. Not only can you find great sets of dishes but you can donate them back after the holiday. NO dish storage!

Get organic: Organics don’t have to cost more. If you’re concerned about costs split them with all family members attending or buy the most important organics first, then others if you can afford it. For example, an organic turkey should be top priority. Organic onions and spices are cool, but you’re not getting as big a pesticide punch with them, so the turkey, apples for pies, and dairy are bigger deals.

Get flowers: Organic flowers for your table are a pesticide free, beautiful option. If you go local they don’t even cost much more than conventional flowers. Many co-ops offer a flower section where you can pick and choose your favorite stems – much cheaper than buying a ready-made bouquet.

Get vegetarian: Skipping the turkey, ham, bacon bits, and whatever other meats you like at Thanksgiving, is a great way to keep your holiday green. For veggie meal ideas visit a great vegetarian Thanksgiving menu planner.

Get the commercialism out: Vow to skip Black Friday. In fact there’s a real honest to goodness event called Buy Nothing Day that you can join up with if you want to skip the madness. Why shop til you drop the day after Thanksgiving? Why not have a more peaceful day? I’ve been doing Buy Nothing Day for years – hit them up on Facebook if you’d like to get involved.

Get natural: Plan decor that’s eco-savvy and natural or made with recycled goods. Decorating with fall leaves is a good start – later we’ll look at a few more green Thanksgiving crafts.

Get greener place cards: If fancy is your game plan this holiday then you need pretty place cards. Of course go for eco-friendly Thanksgiving place cards.

Get thankful: Try making a homemade gratitude journal with the kids with recycled goodies. If you want something extra special try the WishFrame. Family and friends can write what they’re thankful for on little slips of paper then tuck them away in the WishFrame.

What are you doing to celebrate a green Thanksgiving?