Thanksgiving

“Shoo-Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy,” released in 1946, was Dinah Shore’s treatise on a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch delicacy: molasses pie, and a simple apple dessert.

Aunt Annabelle was born and raised in Port Jervis, NY, across the Delaware River from Pennsylvania. She became part of the Shannon (Mom’s side of the family) clan when she married my Uncle Booch (Robert), the youngest of seven Shannon siblings. One can only guess how my grandfather’s Irish heritage ever melded with my grandmother’s Pennsylvania Dutch (She was a Cristman.) background, but the union produced a feisty, fun-loving, passionate family that followed tradition closely: I have nearly 20 cousins! Few members of the family strayed far from their roots in the Delaware Valley or the family traditions.

Thanksgiving was half bedlam, half food. With rugrats clogging the corridors and carpets, adults setting tables, arranging chairs, and shifting serving platters, the clan would gather to share each wife’s contribution to the feast. Luscious aromas permeated the air, as idle chatter slowly focused on the reason we all gathered together under one roof.

A silence permeated only by Dad’s brief prayer was followed by a gentle crescendo of chatter as positive comments were made about Mom’s turkey, Jerry’s mashed potatoes, Aunt Millie’s dressing, the cranberries, gravy, beans, and brussel sprouts (Dad’s favorite). It wasn’t until the table had been cleared that people would begin to focus on the pièce de résistance: dessert.

As fresh, black coffee was poured into awaiting cups, a parade of pies made its way from the kitchen to the table. Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Dutch Apple Pie, Mincemeat Pie, and Shoo-Fly Pie. Accolades filled the air as everyone proclaimed my Aunt Annabelle’s Shoo-Fly Pie to be the crowning touch to a perfect celebration. To this day, I can visualize her beaming smile, her glow of satisfaction. A simple, traditional dessert was the key my aunt used to open the door to our family’s hearts.

I have the recipe for that pie tucked away for safekeeping. I will never attempt to make one, however. Although I have hunted far and wide for a bakery that makes Shoo-Fly Pies (Believe it or not, there is one in Seattle of all places!), I have never bought one. I don’t want to cloud the memory of my Aunt’s creation with anyone else’s attempt at perfection. Aunt Annabelle’s Shoo-Fly Pie will always reign supreme.