Bean pies are now commonly associated with African American Muslims' cuisine as an alternative to soul foods, except those containing vanilla extract or imitation vanilla extract as they contain alcohol.[1] The pies are also specifically associated with the Nation of Islam movement and Elijah Muhammad, who encouraged their consumption instead of certain ingredients associated with soul food.[2]
Members of the community commonly sell bean pies as part of their fundraising efforts. The bean pie was allegedly introduced by Wallace Fard Muhammad, who was a restaurateur in the 1910s and 1920s prior to founding the Nation of Islam in 1930.[2]
However, in 1884 a recipe for bean pie was published in the New Kentucky Home Cook Book, contributed by Lucy Keith and compiled by the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Maysville, Kentucky.[3] According to her obituary, "she was a typical daughter of the old South, noted for her kindness and charity and was a life long member of the M.E. Church, South."[4]
