Wild Goose on the Fly—sometimes true to reality — sometimes true to Mama Goose’s imagination — sometimes a compilation of reality and imagination.
Here’s a little ditty about my first experience with Southern Peanut Butter Pie.
When I drove into Palmetto Springs Florida, I blinked my eyes. Had I stumbled upon a movie set for a production of a Tennessee William’s play? Spanish moss draped from venerable oak trees like party decorations. Small bungalows with screened porches all needing paint jobs lined the street. Three little girls played hop scotch on the sidewalk and a boy whizzed by on an ancient red bicycle. Sprawled on the edge of the road was a sleeping dog. Flies were buzzing around him like nosey neighbors.
A solitary vintage building with a covered porch and a single gas pump signaled my arrival to the center of town. Five wooden rocking chairs were spaced on the porch. The faded cushions were permanently indented from years of accommodating the backsides of prior occupants. In one of the chairs a little girl was furiously licking a melting red popsicle. The faster she rocked, the quicker trickles of red slithered down her arm.
Opening the screen door I entered another era. Every wall, all the shelving, the floor, the ceiling, the entire interior was gleaming mahoney. It was a hodgepodge conglomerate one would expect in a general store, although it was disconcerting to find motor oil and Doritos displayed next to each other on such old world elegant shelves.
Off to the left were four stools and a small lunch counter. It was noon. I was hungry. I sat down. A man I hadn’t notice before hobbled over and slid behind the counter. He was old. No, he was older than old. He could have easily been a carnival side show feature hawked as the one and only living mummy.
“Can I help ya lady,” he drawled.
” I would like to see a menu please,” I said trying not to stare.
“Can’t give you a menu, because there isn’t one.”
“Okay, is there a daily special board?” I looked around to find one.
“We don’t have one of those either.” He folded his arms across his chest.
“All right, I give up. How do people know what you are serving each day?” I asked.
“Oh that’s easy. Everyone hereabouts knows I only serve peanut butter pie.”
That’s it, everyday?” I said. I wondered if the old coot was senile or just playing with me.
“Yep. I bake fresh pies every morning except Sunday. It’s a fact you won’t find a better peanut butter pie than mine.”
Well then I better have a slice of that famous pie.” I smiled.
Pleased with my answer he smiled back flashing a lone surviving tooth. He removed a pie from the cooler behind him and cut a big slice.
He watched expectedly as I took the first bite. It was sublime. If I was Catholic, I ‘m sure this pie would have compelled me to go to confession. Anything this decadently delicious had to be a sin.
“This is the most outrageous pie, I have ever tasted in my entire life,” I said reverently.
The man nodded. ” I told you lady my pie was the best.”
Slowly I savored every creamy silky morsel. It was overwhelming clear, if lingered in this place I would be ordering a second slice and then a third. If I spent the night, I would be eating pie for breakfast.
Ol’ Beelzebub himself was secreted in the guise of that addictive pie. Then I remembered some long ago advice from my Grandmother. When confronted by the Devil firmly state, Get thee behind me!
I took Grandma’s advice and left town. The Devil was indeed behind me in the shape of a whole pie tucked away safely in the cooler in my trunk.
Pat says
Oh, shucks, I missed your recipe :(……. I loved your story. It is so much fun to go into one of those old-time general stores. There was one in Ferndale, California that I swear I am going back to again. I have a wonderful recipe for peanut butter pie that is on my ‘Let’s Blog It’ list. Now I will just have to get it together and do it. 🙂
Carol says
Yep, there was one in Mist Oregon. I actually went back to it last year and found that after a 100 yrs, it burned. I was bereft. I am going to publish a peanut butter pie recipe here probably tomorrow. So you didn’t miss out!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
This is fabulous. I am only sorry that you couldn’t get the recipe out of that very colorful man. Then again, perhaps you would be so kind as to dissect the pie in your trunk and create your own Best Peanut Butter Pie that you can share with us!!
Carol says
Betsy, I think I am going to publish in the next day or two a peanut butter pie that I do make in an attempt to recreate my original pie. But I will have to admit that it doesn’t quite measure up to my Florida pie. I keep looking and trying however. What a job, but someone has to do it.
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Ha! What a great story! Your writing is so descriptive. Love!
Carol says
I am glad you enjoy it. I had a ball writing it. It was fun to remember and in a way relive it.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
This story made my night, I read every single line with a smile. Wish I could have a piece of that pie!
Carol says
Thank you Pamela! I gained a pound this morning, so I can’t even THINK about that pie.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I’ve made peanut butter pie, but I am quite sure it would never measure up to old Beezlebub’s! We lived in North Florida for two years when we were first married. I’ve got to tell you, it is just as you describe it. I can feel the humidity from here. Miss those trees, though!
Carol says
I have a peanut butter pie recipe that is pretty yummy, but it doesn’t quite measure up.
addie | culicurious says
Wow, that sounds like a lovely little idyllic town. And the peanut butter pie, O….M….G…. WANT!!!!! Sounds amazing. I know if you like it, it had to be good! 😉
Carol says
Since that occasion I am such a chump for peanut butter pie. You are a southern babe, do you have a elsupremo recipe lurking in your files?
addie | culicurious says
No unfortunately I do not. South Louisiana has its own variety of Southern cuisine and it sadly doesn’t include peanut butter pie. I don’t even know if I’ve ever even had a proper peanut butter pie. But it sounds amazing. Please let me know if/when you do find a good one.
Carol says
I will posting one in a day or two. However you have definitely piqued my interest about Southern Louisiana cooking, which I would assume is more varied than merely creole. Albeit it could be all creole and I would be thrilled.
addie | culicurious says
I grew up along the coast so I’m 100% Cajun, through and through. We have our own cuisine that’s separate from Creole cuisine, although it definitely takes inspiration from its older Creole cousin. Part of what my forthcoming books is about is the Cajun people and their foodways over the last 250 years. It’s a history of the foodways and fisheries of Southeast Louisiana (excludes New Orleans), and since the Cajuns are the dominant ethnic group in that area, they get much of the focus. 🙂
Carol says
What a fascinating young woman you are! Also what a fascinating topic you are engaged in writing about. Geez I wish we were a little closer geographically, I would enjoy having a couple of those interesting cocktails you recently wrote about and hearing more about your research for your book.
addie | culicurious says
Yes, it would be nice to live closer by – enjoying cocktails with friends is one of my favorite things to do!! 🙂 If you’re interested, I can let you know when the book is published! 🙂
Carol says
Well Yeah, I want to know when you publish your book. I would think that you would standing on the roof tops shouting to the Universe about it. I know I would be, if it were my book! Lol
addie | culicurious says
oh yes, we’re launching big. I was just trying to be polite here on your site. 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Very fun story! Glad you bought a pie for the road. But how could you have not with pie that good? Super read — thanks.
Carol says
You are right John, I was powerless. Made myself laugh, after I typed that line.
marcie says
Carol, this story was SO entertaining and well-written. And that pie sounds like something that I would have to stay in town for…I love peanut butter pie! 🙂
Carol says
Marcie, I am soooo glad you enjoyed my ditty. It’s kind of cool to have a bonding tie via peanut butter pie!
Maybe it would help forward world peace if it was served in the UN lunch room.
mjskit says
Oh how well you described a teeny, tiny southern “town”! You took me back girl! What a very funny story and I didn’t see the last sentence coming! Hilarious!
Carol says
Florida was my first time in the south. I loved all the small towns. I look forward to going down south again. I’ve always wanted to spend some time in that part of the US, because I am gardener.
heather @french press says
well, Ill eat pie for breakfast any day of the week, and now I’m seriously on the hunt for a peanut butter pie
Carol says
OMG! A sister! I would easily eat pie for breakfast too!