Once a week or so during the summer, a farmer's market can be found in a parking lot in Beechview in a parking lot near the Fallowfield trolley station. The other evening, as I dismounted the train, I came face to face with a bearded man in a blue shirt, overalls, suspenders and wide-brimmed hat that I assume was of the Mennonite faith.
Before him on a table sat a bevy of baked beauties. Cookies, muffins, gobs...Shoofly pie.
As I approached him, he asked "A workin' man, are ya?"
"Yes sir. I just got done for the day."
"Well, God Bless ya."
"Thank you."
"What can I do for ya?"
"Well, I have 4 bucks cash on me."
"Oh, we can work something out."
And work something out we did, the gentleman offering me a 50 cent discount on a small Shoofly pie and a chocolate gob.
Sweet Montgomery, was the pie treacly! Yet, I welcomed its wholesome, molasses-derived taste and texture that adhered to the insides of my mouth like glue. It was similiar to a pecan pie without pecans and possessed a flavor that approached chocolate or Nutella. Its crumbly crust has no preservatives and doesn't hold up well after a few days I was told, so eat it fast I did, half that evening and the other half the following afternoon with lunch.
The gob was dense, moist, and contained a sugary white frosting between the bisected ball of cocoa.
On the label it read "Hostetler's Bakery" in capital letters complete with a street address and telephone number. I must make the pilgrimage for olden wonder and rural warmth surely await me there. read more
