Happy Harvest season!
Mabon is the pagan holiday which celebrates the autumnal equinox and the last harvest of summer's final fruits before winter. Apples, figs, grapes, wheat and grains are most commonly used in Fall menus to make anything from cakes, jams, and cider, to wine, bread and beer. Each play an important role in the rich mythology and primeval spiritual and cultural traditions that observed the cycles of nature as holy events. Apples were once considered the most sacred fruit and especially revered during this time.
Mabon is usually observed between the 21st to the 29th of September. Though its roots are believed to be taken from many bygone harvest traditions, its name, Mabon (after the Welsh God of Youth), and its modern celebrations began with the neo-pagan movement in the 1970's.
In most of the northern hemisphere, apples are a predominant crop in September and have been considered symbols of beauty, fertility, prosperity and wisdom since ancient times. The hardiness of the fruit and its durability are said to represent strength and growth in adversity. It's no surprise why the ancient pagans used apples in their autumn rituals as offerings to appease their gods, as any help surviving the harshness of winter was crucial.
In many religions and traditions, apples are considered sacred and usually included in many Fall season holiday meals and banquets. At Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year ( which takes place just a few days before the equinox) Jewish people dip apples into honey to symbolise their hopes for a sweet year ahead!
Baking a sweet, delicious apple piet is a great way to celebrate the magic of upcoming autumn. Below is my recipe for my vegan Magickal Mabon Apple pie. A great addition to any Fall feast and its vegan too!
Magikcal tip:
If you cut an apple horizontally, you will see a star or pentagram in its centre. This star is a symbol of knowledge, spiritual enlightenment and protection. While you are preparing the pie, thank the apples for their magickal protection, then recite a positive intention or words that will bring sweetness and blessings to all who eat the pie. Happy Baking!
Magickal Mabon Apple Pie
Magickal Mabon Apple Pie
Ingredients:
1 recipe for double pie crust (See my blog for recipe)
1 kilo Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored 6-7 apples (7 cups thinly sliced)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground cardamom
8 Tbsp Vegan butter
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp maple syrup stirred into in 1/4 Cup Almond milk , for use as "egg wash" on dough topping.
Instructions:
Pre-make the pie crust recipe and chill per instructions while preparing the filling. Preheat oven to 220˚C.
Melt vegan butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 3 Tbsp flour then simmer for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Whisk in 1/4 cup water, 1 cup sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and continue simmering 3 minutes, whisking frequently then remove from heat.
Peel, remove cores and thinly slice 7 cups of apples and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle the top with the cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom and toss to combine. Pour the sauce over the apples and stir to coat the apple slices.
Sprinkle your work surface with flour and roll out bottom pie crust to a 30cm diameter circle. Wrap it around your rolling pin to transfer it to the 23 cm pie plate. Add apple mixture, mounding slightly in the centre and being careful not to get the filling on the edges which would make it difficult to seal.
Roll second crust into an 30 cm round and cut into 10 even thickness strips using a pizza cutter. Arrange strips in a woven lattice pattern over the top. *You can also use a cookie cutter to cut out fall leaf designs and place on the top too! Stir together the maple syrup and almond milk, then brush the top of the pie dough with the mixture.
Bake at 220˚C in the centre of the oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 175˚C and continue baking another 45 minutes or until apples are soft and filling is bubbling through the vents. * Rest & let cool at room temp for 1 hour before serving.
Serves: 8 Calories: 380 per slice Prep Time: 30 to 40 mins Cook Time: 1 hour Pie Crust Time: 30 mins to 1 hour Total Time: 2 to 3 hours
Enjoy!! Mabon Blessings!