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I laughed so hard at this blog, because my mom used to make me pumpkin pies for my birthday instead of cake, because I loved it so much. I still do. It is the BEST part of Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for me. I love pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin cheesecake. PLEASE DON'T GET RID OF PUMPKIN PIE!!!

I'm a vegetarian and I love green beans, but guess what--I LOVE America's Test Kitchen on PBS. Since Julia Child and the Frugal Gourmet, it was the first show that got me watching food TV since I was a kid.

Do I agree with everything Mr. Kimball says? No. But at least he has a strong opinion, and he's friggin' hilarious when he says it--and that's better than trying to please all the people and all the palates all of the time. I find a bit of arrogance charming, and I take it with a pinch of (artisanal sea) salt.

CI's and ATK brownies and cookies and pretty much all dishes that you DO need a certain science behind are sensational and foolproof. Even for idiot beginning cooks like me.

And even if I don't agree with all of the scientific tests and test tastes, I find it interesting to see what the results are, even if they aren't some pronouncement from on high.

I subscribed to CI for several years. I always enjoyed reading it, and had good results with the recommendations and recipes. I still have them.

However, I bought the Mr Kimball's book, Yellow Farmhouse Cookbook, and many of the recipes didn't work for me at all. I gave it away.

I only wish pumpkin pie was popular all year round. I have this theory that people born in the autumn are more likely pumpkin pie lovers - my son and I are scorpios devoted to it, whereas my spring-born wife can take or leave it.. Anyway, if you want to attack something, go after that awful concoction called eggnog!

I love pumpkin pie -- must be *canned* pumpkin (Libby's!) and home-made crust. Moderate dollop of whipped cream.

Cannot however stand pumpkin pie made w/ real pumpkin.

Go figure.

It has to be a pie made with fresh pumpkin, or to clarify, not pumpkin from the can. I always thought I didn't like pumpkin pie until I had a slice that my best friend made with pumpkins he had grown himself. It was soooo good. The next year we bought a locally grown pumpkin and made our own pie with it. Again, it was soooo good. Never again will we use the can to make pumpkin pie.

I do not love pumpkin pie but do like pumpkin ice cream--which in terms of flavor is not so different from pumpkin pie, but in terms of taste blows pumpkin pie away, oddly enough.

I think pumpkin pie is a love for people who don't go nuts over tart, tangy pies.. Although I've had many, many bad pumpkin pies, the right one will definately make up for it. The crust should be stong enough that you're able 2 pick it up and eat it. And I can't get enough cool whip, yes I said cool whip, on top of it. It should be a light fluffy creamy custard held by a light crust. Of course I offer up pumpkin pie, pecan pie, a fruit pie of some variety,and mini cheesecakes... I'm no evil host :) I have a plate full of dinner, and a plate full of desert! What a great combination!

I LOVE MY Pumpkin Pie! I am a pumpkin pie snob in that way. Over the years I have perfected my recipes for pumpkin pie and for pumpkin cheese "pie". It is not my TOP favorite Thanksgiving dish, but is a close second, after my husband's amazing stuffing...I can't wait!

We have a winnah!

LEMONS, come on down! You've won this bird.

Someone from Serious Eats will contact you shortly for shipping info.

Thanks to all who commented, and for the rest of you, we just started another bird contest and will be doing one a day from today up to and including Nov. 18. So try again!

Casserole dish makes more crispy edges!

In the oven in a casserole dish