Gluten Free Pumkin Pie

This year's Thanksgiving pumkin pie was ambitious for two reasons: using real local pumpkin for the filling, and making the crust gluten-free.

Of the two twists, the first was easier and more successful. I simply split the sugar pumpkin in half with a cleaver, gutted it with a knife and spoon, and turned the halves dome-side up in a baking pan with a half inch of water. Then I baked them til soft, and scooped out the brilliant orange flesh for mixing in the food processor with the usual ingredients.

The crust warranted a test run, and could have used two. The first try involved only two ingredients: gluten-free ginger snap cookies and butter. It came out a little too sweet and too oily; and the exposed edge burnt. Despite all that, it was pretty yummy. The second try cut some of the butter and added tapioca flour. It performed well as a crust, but didn't taste as complementary with the filling. On number 3 - and there's bound to be one - I think we'll just dial back the tapioca flour, and maybe add some crushed almonds.

Thanksgiving for Christmas

Every year, I make a mental plan for getting through the commercial Christmas season (that is, the day after Halloween until mid-January). Usually, the way consumerism overwhelms the spirit of the season - and the way it dominates the airwaves and public space we all share, whether we credit the birth of Baby Jesus as special or not - makes me want to simply leave north America for a few months. Even then, though, I know the deeply ingrained drive to buy useless stuff for friends, family and acquaintences would follow me, gnawing at my sub-conscious. What I really want is to celebrate Christmas the way I do Thanksgiving.

No matter where I am or who I am with, Thanksgiving includes:

• Spending hours with loved ones, visiting, and relaxing
• Remembering and actually doing something to help our neighbors
• Reflecting on all I am grateful for, and expressing it out loud
• Sharing the experience with old friends who have become family over time
• Making room at the table for new friends
• Creating a meal that weaves our traditions together
• Taking a walk in the autumn air

The best of Christmases have felt just like Thanksgiving, but with a few presents added. So this year my plan is to skirt the edges of the shopping mania, write my thank-you's to friends and family far and wide, and create great meals with the loved ones on hand. There will be a few small gifts and stocking stuffers, but mostly time shared. And for New Year's? More of the same. Might as well ring in 2009 with hope and gratitude.