Tsukimi Pie
Moon-Viewing Pie, AKA Tsukimi Pie Recipe
Did you catch the beautiful autumn full moon this autumn?
The changing of the seasons always feels magical, and in Japan, the Tsukimi festival celebrates this with moon-viewing traditions. While savoring the full moon, I created a delightful treat to enjoy alongside it: Tsukimi Pie.
In Japan, McDonald's offers this seasonal pie during the Tsukimi celebration, along with the popular Tsukimi Burger. It's a delightful blend of traditional Japanese ingredients - mochi, red bean paste, and kinako (roasted soybean powder), all wrapped in a flaky pie crust. I couldn’t resist recreating this at home, and it's easier than you’d think!
RECIPE
Servings: 6
Time: 40 min
Ingredients:
1 sheet of Pie crust
3 tbsp Red bean paste (anko)
1/2 cup Shiratama flour
1/4 cup Water
2 tbsp Kinako (roasted soybean powder)
1/2 tbsp Sugar
1/2 pc Egg yolk (for brushing)
My Kitchen Tools:
Boiling Pot for Dango
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make the Dango Mochi Balls: In a small bowl, combine the Shiratama flour and water until a smooth dough forms. Roll it into small balls about the size of marbles, push the middle of the ball to flatten.
Cook the Dango: Bring a pot of water to boil, then gently add the dango balls. Once they start floating (after about 1-2 minutes), transfer them into iced water to cool.
Prepare the Kinako Mixture: In another bowl, mix the Kinako powder and sugar together.
Assemble the Pie: Cut the pie crust into 6 rectangular pieces. On each piece, place 2 mochi balls. Sprinkle a little of the Kinako mixture over them and spread some red bean paste on top.
Seal and Bake: Fold the pie crust over the filling, and gently press the edges to seal. Brush the tops with the egg yolk for a golden finish.
Bake: Place the pies on a baking sheet and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
The Tsukimi (月見) tradition, also known as "moon-viewing," is a Japanese festival that celebrates the beauty of the autumn full moon, typically during the mid-autumn harvest season. This ancient custom, which dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), was influenced by Chinese culture, where moon-viewing ceremonies were held to honor the harvest and give thanks to the moon for its blessings.
The Meaning Behind Tsukimi
Tsukimi usually takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar, known as Jūgoya. This period is when the moon is believed to be at its brightest and most beautiful, signifying the fullness of the harvest season. During the festival, people decorate their homes with susuki (Japanese pampas grass), which represents a bountiful harvest, and offer seasonal foods to the moon as a way of expressing gratitude and praying for future prosperity.
Why Do They Eat Dango for Tsukimi?
One of the key traditions of Tsukimi is the offering and eating of Dango, a type of sweet rice dumpling. The white, round shape of the dango is said to resemble the full moon, symbolizing purity and the perfect form of nature. In ancient times, people believed that by offering food in the shape of the moon, they could connect with the lunar deity and receive its blessings.
Eating Dango during Tsukimi is more than just enjoying a sweet treat; it’s a symbolic act of unity between the heavens and the earth. The sticky, soft texture of the dango also represents togetherness and community, reminding people to be grateful for the relationships they share and the bounty of the earth.
