What country did sweet potato pie originate?

Table of Contents:

1. What country did sweet potato pie originate?
2. Did slaves eat sweet potatoes?
3. How do I know sweet potato pie is done?
4. What can I use instead of a pie funnel?
5. What happens if you don't vent a pie?
6. How do you stop a pie gap?
7. How do you vent a pie?
8. How long should you let a pie cool before eating?

What country did sweet potato pie originate?

When tracing the history of African American cuisine, it's best to take stock of what was inherited from West Africa, our ancestral homeland. I'd thought and hoped that sweet potato pie had West African roots, but the trail begins in Peru, where sweet potatoes originated.

Did slaves eat sweet potatoes?

The use of sweet potatoes in Southern and African-American cuisine traces back to West African influences. The sweet potato, which is native to the Americas, was likely used by African slaves as an alternative to the yam found in their homeland.

How do I know sweet potato pie is done?

How to tell when sweet potato pie is done? The pie is done once the filling has become firm around the outer edges but is still jiggly in the center. It will continue to set and firm up as it cools.

What can I use instead of a pie funnel?

An alternative to using a pie funnel is to cut a steam hole in the centre of the pastry lid, before baking, with a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen scissors.

What happens if you don't vent a pie?

"Pie gap" happens when you bake a pie with a filling such as apples, which shrink substantially when you cook them. ... Without pie vents, the apples shrink, but the crust retains its original shape, producing a wide gap filled with air between the crust and the filling. The top crust collapses when you cut into the pie.

How do you stop a pie gap?

Now let's see how to prevent it.

1. Use butter, not shortening. The solidity of unmelted fat is part of what helps pie crust hold its shape as it bakes. ...
2. Keep water to a minimum. This pie pastry looks good, doesn't it? ...
3. Roll sparingly. ...
4. Choose apples that hold their shape. ...
5. Vent the top crust.

How do you vent a pie?

Double crust pies need to be vented so there's a place for steam to escape as the filling cooks. You can do this by cutting small slits in the top of the pie or by using a pie bird specially made for pie ventilation.

How long should you let a pie cool before eating?

Make Sure Pies are Safe After Cooking

1. Cool them at room temperature for only 30 minutes after you take them out of the oven.
2. Put them in the refrigerator to complete cooling and to keep them cold.
3. Keep pies in the refrigerator at 41°F or colder, except during the time they are being served.