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Maine's official state dessert is up for debate -- and it's turning into a war of health vs. nostalgia. The legislature is close to passing a bill, L.D. 71, that would give the crown to the whoopie pie, a dessert that has a storied history in the state, reports the Kennebec Journal. But local nutritionists say the crown should go to wild blueberry pie, since the flavorful berries are abundant in the state -- and far healthier.
The Journal article reports that lawmakers don't want to be seen endorsing a high-fat treat. "At a time when 31.3 percent of Maine's children are considered overweight or obese, do we want to glorify a dessert that lists lard as its primary ingredient?" asked Rep. Donald Pilon.
Proponents of the whoopie say that the "frosting delivery vehicles," as they've been called, can be healthy too, if baked with real chocolate (don't laugh -- it contains antioxidants!) or with variations like pumpkin or peanut butter.
And though blueberry pie is delicious, the whoopie pie's appeal is massive. People come from all over the country to eat Maine's whoopie pies, and according to historian Nancy Griffin, author of Making Whoopies: The Official Whoopie Pie Book, "Labadie's Bakery in Lewiston has been baking them since 1925 -- far longer than any other bakery in the country," reports the Journal. But retired lyricist John Linscott perhaps sums up the love best in these lines:
"We need comfort.
The whoopie pie is the answer.
It's a panacea for all our ills."
The committee is still undecided but will resume on February 9. What do you think? Should the whoopie be overthrown in favor of wild blueberry pie?
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2-02-2011 @1:55PM Lou said... I would vote for the wild blueberry pie, but not necessarily for health reasons. After all, pie crust is made with white flour and butter! (not to mention a la mode)
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2-02-2011 @2:16PM exresident said... ARE YOU KIDDING!!!!! The legislature has nothing else better to do??? How about dealing with the thousands of Maine families living at or below the poverty level, or addressing the oppressive taxes? How about the half azz health care system? Next week will be the state rock.....Morons
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2-02-2011 @6:09PM dvdlbt said... I'm With Ya!
Nonsense!
Idiot Legislature should be working on Health Care Reform!! Now that the Party of NO has a Majority they just vote away some human dignity such as the right of all Mainers to have Comprehensive Health Care without the Discrimination of Pre existing Conditions or Disabilities!!!
LET THEM EAT CAKE!
I'll Pick some fresh Blueberries and Bake A Pie!
2-02-2011 @7:04PM gobo said... Legislators can do more than one thing at once, believe it or not. Relax, man.
2-02-2011 @2:40PM margie said... No way should Blueberry Pie win this. My mom used to make whoopie pies for us a lot when we were kids and we lived in Pennsylvania. I love whoopie pies and I say give that honor to the wonderful and delicious whoopie pie. It is so scrumptiously delicious.
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2-02-2011 @3:11PM LAURA said... BORN AND RAISED IN MAINE....LOVE BLUEBERRY PIE ......BUT ..BUT.. OH THOSE WHOOPIE PIES..I MADE THEM FOR MY OWN KIDS AND GRANDKID AND I NOW HAVE GREAT GRANDKIDS WHO LOVE THEM . THEY ARE A "SPECIAL" TREAT IN OUR FAMILY. YES THE LEGISLATURE HAS MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO BUT IT DOESN'T HURT TO LIGHTEN UP NOW AND THEN. LIFE IS SHOET...HAVE A LITTLE FUN !!!!
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2-02-2011 @3:36PM Lid said... i'm from PA and we call those GOBS!
2-02-2011 @4:08PM Ken said... My wife is from PA and I am a Maine native. We have a friendly 'war on words' over the proper name of this delicious treat. She, "Gobs" (PA) Me, "Whoopie Pies" (Maine.)
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2-03-2011 @11:55AM greg gras said... went to official web site and they claim pa is the home of the whoopy but no one knows where the name GOB came from.
2-02-2011 @5:32PM Angiebaby said... If you were eating your last supper in Maine and you only had room in your stomach for one more thing that came from Maine, would you opt for a slice of wild blueberry pie, or a whoopie pie? Me, too! Whoopie pie it is!
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2-02-2011 @6:22PM dvdlbt said... Whoopie pies are in every State, They are Everywhere! Globs, Blobs, Cakes and Pieholes!
Blueberrie Pies are a Maine Heritage!
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2-02-2011 @6:18PM dvdlbt said... Come On! Take a look at the Back end of these Rural Gals up here!
To Many Whoopie Pies!
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2-02-2011 @6:19PM Mary Ellen said... I am from Maine and make whoopie pies all the time! People really enjoy them... I am glad Maine is havng some fun... I have lived in many states, none of which had any idea what I was talking about when I made or mentioned Whoopie Pies. However, when my friends and coworkers from these states tried one, they were hooked!
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2-02-2011 @6:25PM dvdlbt said... TURN AROUND!
2-02-2011 @7:09PM John F.C. Taylor said... I'd vote for the blueberry pie. Not because it's healthier, but simply because I like the taste better.
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2-02-2011 @7:16PM LaAnn McDonald said... Dear John,...In my opinion, I believe that we should change Maine's long standing tradition and go along with the rest of the world by making our New Tradition "The World's Greatest and Most Famous Key Lime Pies" from that "World's Foremost Island Restaurant , Kutchie's Key West Kutcharitaville Cafe' ". Those fantastic pies are baked daily by the "Famed Kutchie Pelaez", legend has it that he has been baking his "World Famous Key Lime Pies" since the early 1970's. And that he uses his grandmother's 1920's secret recipe. We Googled "Kutcharitaville" several years ago, to say the least, we have been ordering those wonderful "Culinary Delights" ever since. Even if Maine doesn't adopt "Kutchie's Famous Key Lime Pies as their new tradition, they will surely remain our family's tradition. So now that this matter has been settled we can all enjoy Key Lime Pie and then follow that-up and then "Go Make Whoopie". And you can bet your "Sweet Bippie" on that.
LeAnn
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2-02-2011 @9:15PM Bill said... If you want it, "eat " it, the food you eat has little to do with how long you live, or the quality of life you will have. Before you are born, God has already alotted your time table, I know people that watched every thing they ate, and I've known people who did every thing wrong and those that did every thing they should not do, or told not to eat or drink, out lived the ones who watched every thing . Its in the Genes. If you want it, have at it. Some things you have to use good judgement about, but, we are just playing out the parts anyway, so, your death certificate is already signed, just matter of when you get to that page.
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