Happy Thanksgiving

If you would like to add a Kiwi twist to your traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, check out this recipe below:

Mānuka honey pumpkin pie

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée
• ¾ cup Mānuka honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cloves (or allspice)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, Manuka honey, eggs, milk, spices, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Pour into the pie crust.
4. Bake 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce to 350°F (175°C) and bake 40–50 minutes more, until the center is almost set.
5. Cool for at least 2 hours before serving.

The importance of Mānuka honey to New Zealand

Mānuka honey

Mānuka honey is made by bees that pollinate the Mānuka flower, which is native to New Zealand and blooms just 2-6 weeks per year. Mānuka honey can only be produced in areas abundant with native Mānuka blossoms, which is why hives are located in some of the most remote, untouched parts of the country. 

Māori have had a strong relationship with Mānuka, they call it a taonga or ‘treasure’ and found a staggering amount of uses for it; from food to traditional medicinal uses, and all manner of tools and artefacts. 

Read more at nzstory.govt.nz/manuka-a-honey-of-a-plant