Wild blackberry picking in the Sonoma backroads has become a favorite pastime. Arriving in July this year, as opposed to our usual late August arrival taught us that although it is officially summer, July and August are like two different seasons... seasons within a season. Like the mysterious splashes of pink Naked Ladies throughout the farmyards, coastal homes, and just about anywhere that they decide to bare themselves for the passenger's viewing pleasure. Or the bountiful red peppers filling the baskets of farmers' market booths and shoppers' totes. Or the sweet, ripened blackberries, covering bushes along the roads, driveways, and park walkways.
Since blackberries were not yet ready to be enjoyed, we came home empty handed. But "lucky" for us, the grocery stores of the U.S. don't really operate on a farmers' market schedule. Blackberries any time of the year. So, we finally had the opportunity to make a blackberry pie that I've been wanting to make ever since receiving this book of Mario's (and the gang) adventures in Spain. And best of all, it's a family recipe- made by the Batali's after their yearly summer blackberry picking! Without further ado...
Batali Family
BLACKBERRY PIE
SERVES 8
FOR THE CRUST
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable shortening, chilled
About 5 tablespoons ice water
FOR THE FILLING
4 cups fresh blackberries
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the crust, whisk the flour, sugar, and salt together in a bowl. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle over 3 tablespoons of the ice water, tossing with a fork to moisten evenly, then add more water about 1 teaspoon at a time until the dough comes together. Gather it into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
sounds absolutely heavenly! and your vacation looks like a dream... hope it's not too painfun to be back:)
ReplyDeletexx, Jane
yummy, this looks really good. All these food posts make me so much more motivated to bake and cook :)
ReplyDeleteThat pie looks amazing! I love blackberries and I know I would love this pie. I'll definitely have to try it sometime. I'm in desperate need of a foolproof crust recipe, so I'm hoping this is the one! :)
ReplyDeletexo
Valerie
I love pie in all forms, but berry -- esp. blackberry -- is my favorite. Yum yum yum.
ReplyDeleteSonoma berries are divine! Love the photos, too. :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful this pie looks - came through your suggestions today on Sonoma, my favourite place...
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