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Fruit or meat. Cheesy or chocolate. Shortcrust or filo. By the slice or by the handful. Whatever your favorite combination, nothing beats the perfect piece of pie.

The humble pie first entered the culinary history books way back in 9500 BC in Neolithic Egypt as a sweet, honey-filled treat, wrapped in ground oats, wheat, rye or barley.

The Egyptian’s neighbors in Greece developed the pie even further to include pastry and a meat filling. The recipe then made its way into the hands (and bellies) of the Romans who carried it over to Spain and Northern Europe and from there, a food legend was born.

Pecan Pie, New Orleans, La., United States

A popular holiday dish, and a cornerstone of southern U.S. cuisine, the pecan pie a deliciously sticky sweet treat best served with a large scoop of ice cream.

It is believed this nutty dessert was invented by French settlers shortly after they arrived in New Orleans and were introduced to the nut by Native Americans.

 

The Classic Meat Pie, Australia & New Zealand

Best eaten out of a paper bag with lashings of tomato sauce, the iconic meat pie is a staple in the Southern Hemisphere.

Found in bakeries across the country, the classic fillings of steak and cheese, mince and gravy, chicken and potato top are found alongside more gourmet offerings such as chicken, brie and mushroom and Moroccan lamb.

 

Key Lime Pie, Florida, United States

Named after the small Key limes that are found throughout the Florida Keys, this tart and aromatic dessert is a true delight and dates back to the 19th century.

Made from Key lime juice, egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk, the traditional Conch version also has a golden meringue topping.

In 2006, legislation was passed to make Key lime pie the “Official Pie of the State of Florida.”

 

Spanakopita, Greece

The fantastically named Spanakopita (spinach pie) is made from layers of flaky filo pastry filled with chopped spinach, feta cheese (sometimes with ricotta), onions, egg and seasoning.

Once cooked, the golden pie is cut into slices and served as a snack.

 

Steak and Kidney Pie, United Kingdom

You haven’t had a truly British food experience until you’ve tasted a hearty steak and kidney pie.

Made from a mixture of diced beef, diced kidney, fried onion, and brown gravy, this pie is a favorite menu item in pubs throughout the U.K.

The gravy is a mix of salted beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper, and it may also contain a generous helping of ale or Guinness.

 

Natchitoches Meat Pie, Louisiana, United States

A regional dish from northern Louisiana, meat pies from the city of Natchitoches have become an official state food.

Popular since the 1700s, the crescent-shaped, flaky wheat pie is filled with ground beef, ground pork, onions, peppers, garlic and oil, then fried in peanut oil.

Restaurants in the historic district in Natchitoches serve the pies and you’ll also find them at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

An annual Meat Pie Festival is held in September and includes pie-making demonstrations, a meat pie cook-off and live music.

 

Tourtière, Canada

Originating in southern Canada, the Tourtière meat pie is a key feature on Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving tables in Quebec and with French-Canadian families throughout the country.

Usually made with finely diced pork, veal, beef or a mixture, the meat chosen can vary based on what is available in the region.

 

Buko Pie, Philippines

A variation on the coconut cream pie, this Filipino sweet is made from young coconut (buko) meat, custard and sweetened condensed milk.

While Buko pie is traditionally plain, today it is often flavored with pandan, vanilla, or almond essences.

 

Lemon Meringue Pie, Switzerland

The world famous Lemon Meringue Pie was first whipped up by a 19th century Swiss baker named Alexander Frehse.

Usually served for dessert, the crust is made of shortcrust or shortbread pastry which is then filled with lemon curd and topped with fluffy meringue.

 

Bisteeya, Morocco

Don’t let its traditional main ingredient put you off. This elaborate Moroccan meat pie is originally made of squab – fledgling pigeons.

Thankfully, squabs are hard to come by so shredded chicken is used instead.

Generally served at the beginning of special meals, Bisteeya combines the sweet and salty flavors of meat slow-cooked in broth and spices and a crunchy layer of toasted and ground almonds, cinnamon and sugar.

 

Coulibiac, Russia

Russian coulibiac consists of a pastry shell made of brioche or puff pastry and filled with salmon or sturgeon, rice, hard-boiled eggs, mushrooms and dill.

A classic coulibiac features layers of different fillings – a mixture of white fish and rice on the top and bottom layers with fillets of sturgeon or salmon in between.

Coulibiac is also made with simpler, vegetarian fillings like cabbage and potatoes.

 

Borek, Various

Borek is a selection of baked or fried filled pastries made of a thin, flaky pastry known as phyllo (filo) or yufka.

Filled with cheese, minced meat or vegetables, it was most likely invented in what is now modern Turkey.

Borek is very popular in countries that were once part of the Ottoman Empire, especially North Africa and throughout the Balkans.

 

Salteñas, Bolivia

Salteñas are savory pastries filled with beef, pork or chicken mixed in a sweet, spicy sauce found in towns and cities throughout Bolivia.

Cochabamba and Sucre are said to produce the best version of this snack, and many Salteñas fans will go out of their way to try the variation from Potosí.

The pastries are usually sold from 7 a.m. to noon, but many outlets sell out by mid-morning.

 

Cornish Pasty, Cornwall, United Kingdom

You’ll come across many an impersonator at train stations and bus stops across the British Isles, but nothing beats the real thing from Cornwall.

The traditional Cornish pasty, which has Protected Geographical Indication status in the EU, is filled with beef, potato, swede and onion, seasoned with salt and pepper, and then baked in its famous semicircle shape.

 

Apple Pie, Various

Despite being as American as apple pie, this dessert is actually a global favorite.

English apple pie recipes date back to the time of Chaucer, Dutch apple pie (appeltaart or appelgebak) calls for flavorings such as cinnamon and lemon juice to be added, and the Swedish style is more similar to an apple crumble.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, apple pie became a symbol of American prosperity and national pride. The community of Pie Town, New Mexico even named themselves in honor of this national favorite.

 

Main image by jamieanne.

About the author

Kara SegedinWriter, traveller, Tweeter, blogger and part-time adventurer. A kiwi living in London off to explore the world! I can never travel enough!

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