Enjoying the Indiana Peony Festival and a “Peony Pie”

A few weeks ago, I attended the Indiana Peony Festival. It seems that people are looking for reasons to celebrate being together now that pandemic restrictions are being lifted, and this festival offered the perfect opportunity to enjoy the spring weather, the gorgeous flowers, and anticipate eating a peony-themed pie.

Traditionally, the peony, which is the Indiana State Flower, has been used to place on gravesites on Decoration Day (now called Memorial Day.) Peonies also are favorites of brides, not only for their color but their fragrance.

My sister and I recently reminisced about the peony bush that was in our yard when we were kids, and about the lovely arrangement Mother would make and set on the dining room table.

People: Old, young, families with babies in strollers, all out to enjoy one of the first opportunities to gather together safely.

Places: The Peony Festival in Seminary Park in Noblesville, Indiana. The festival features, of course, the peony. Contests, judging, and other requisites, which comprise Hoosier festivals such as vendors, artists selling their work, clothing, jewelry, and antiques, all contributed to the festive mood.

Pies: A peony pie. Peony petals are actually edible. You can toss them in a salad, make a sugar scrub, flavor a cocktail, or use them for their various medicinal purposes. You can also use them to decorate a pie! I made a strawberry galette to provide a showcase for the vibrant petals which bloomed for the first time this year on my peony plant. To make your own “peony pie” follow a basic galette recipe using pink fruits (think strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb, or all three!). You could also steep the petals in water or juices from the fruit to add a special flavor to your pie! Go ahead, have fun and make that galette look like a spring garden!