Pies and cakes
Pumpkin pie prepared by grandmother Nuța, just like in Cilibiu
The fragrant pies with the essence of late autumn, a color that fills you with joy, and most importantly, the emotion of reuniting with grandparents – that’s what we had the pleasure of tasting in Cilibiu, in the Golăiești community. Beyond the hills painted in the autumnal shades of rust, along welcoming streets where sleepily stand houses of infinite blue, you’ll find your grandparents’ yard. These grandparents could be anyone’s, as they greet you with smiles filled with all the love one can give to a child.
Today, we are invited to enjoy pumpkin pies, a dish that’s delicious in all its forms, whether hot or cold, with a glass of wine or with a story and a warm hug from Aunt Nuța, the one who knows the delightful recipe. Aunt Nuța, at the age of 81, is a kind soul in whom kindness has found its home. She overwhelms you with a genuinely warm smile. Delighted with guests, Grandma starts telling us the recipe while kneading the elastic dough that, in her hands, performs a unique dance.
Separately, the filling stands proud, ready to take part in the sweet making. The pumpkin is chosen with care – it shouldn’t be too plump or too slender; you should feel a particular delicacy when touching it. The slice should be thick, cleaned of seeds, and ready to be grated to achieve a fine texture, as if you were holding orange velvet in your hand. Sugar is sprinkled over the grated pumpkin, and its purpose is to bring out the best in it – a taste of autumn, ripe fruit, a distinct flavor, synonymous with the scent of October. The scents, aromas, fragrances, essences, call them what you will, must be simple, not overdoing it, to let the pumpkin shine: just a few drops of vanilla essence or a pinch of vanilla sugar.
The pie crust succumbs to Grandma’s determination and is spread gently on a table greased with oil. On top, a thick layer of filling completes the dessert-making ritual. Wrapped, rolled, and carefully placed in the oven, the pie finds its peaceful spot in the oven, where the gentle fire has the final say. The hour we had to wait for it to bake put our patience to the test because restraint was not part of us that day.
Once browned and allowed to cool, the pie is sliced into generous pieces and served immediately. Grandma Nuța knew from our eyes that the pie had turned out well, and her joy knew no bounds when she saw us asking for one more slice. Make time to visit your grandparents because they always make you feel special.
Ingredients:
You will need: 1 kg of flour, a glass of oil, a cup of sugar, a suitable pie pumpkin or about 1 kg of pumpkin, a cup of lukewarm milk, and an egg for brushing, vanilla sugar.
Pumpkin Pie Preparation:
Make a dough and let it rise for at least an hour with half of the sugar; the other half will go into the filling made with grated pumpkin. Divide the dough and filling into four portions. Roll out the dough, fill it, roll it up, and place it in an oiled baking dish. Bake for about an hour in a preheated oven. Once out of the oven, let it cool, sprinkle with vanilla sugar, and share it with your loved ones.