Wanting to travel, yet avoid any risk while still observing pandemic guidelines, a friend and I drove from Indianapolis to New Harmony, Indiana in search of…. yes, harmony (and of course a good pie!) New Harmony was founded in 1814 by a religious group, the Harmonists, who acquired the land on the Wabash River in Southern Indiana to establish a center for communal living supported by the rich Indiana soil to grow vegetables and crops. During their tenure here, the Harmonists constructed more than 180 homes, churches, and a theatre which remain today for tourists to visit.
The town was subsequently purchased by Robert Owen, a scientist and teacher. The secular Owenites were dedicated to establishing a community of equality and peace, but also were interested in commerce and education. Robert’s son Richard became the Indiana State Geologist and a professor at Indiana University, where Owen Hall, now home to the College of Arts and Sciences, was named in his honor.
New Harmony is still a peaceful town where it is possible to find a restaurant with a good pie within a six block well laid- out square. We found that pie at the Main Café.
People: A family of pie makers who are willing to get up early to make and serve fresh pies.
Places: Main Café. This cozy café, bustling with town residents who were catching up on the news of the day, seemed to be the heart of harmony in this town. Our first question for our friendly server was to ask what pies were being served; we stopped her when the list included a Coconut Cream Pie! Our server later told us that her aunt owns Main Café and arrives at 4 AM to make the crusts (Coconut Cream Pie requires a prebaked and cooled crust), and that her mother then arrives to finish the recipe, which she then served to us.
Pies: Coconut Cream Pie. This luscious pie provided us the harmony we were seeking. The pie was light and fluffy and the meringue topping complimented the crunch of the coconut. This pie was a special treat because it usually is not found on the desert menu, but is definitely in the food group of “comfort food.” If coconut cream pie will bring you harmony, try this recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/12481/old-fashioned-coconut-cream-pie/
