Piece & love

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Pie personalities Your favorite slice says more about you than taste. It says something about your personality. Apple pie fans are more likely to be independent, realistic and compassionate Pecan pie lovers are thoughtful and analytical Chocolate pie eaters are loving Pumpkin pie junkies are funny and independent

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Some holidays might be marked by a day off from work and others with aisles full of cards, candy and gifts in drug stores but there’s one that’s about getting a piece of the action.

And by piece we mean pie.

Today is National Pie Day, so dubbed by the American Pie Council, and celebrating is as easy … as, well, you know. Pick up a slice from an area bakery or head to the kitchen to make your favorite recipe. Apple, perhaps? It’s at the top of the list for 36 million Americans.

“You could even pass off a store-bought pie as your own creation,” said Linda Hoskins, executive director, American Pie Council. “Seven percent of Americans confess that they’ve done it.”

Journal Gazette Dining Out columnist Ryan DuVall picks these slices as the best of the area.

Avocado-lime (Chef Minon’s Snug Café ; 126 W. Market St., Bluffton) – The avocado adds richness and body that normal key lime pie lacks, as well as the wonderful creaminess that is the best part of a fresh, succulent avocado. Chef Hector Minon developed this award-winning recipe while living in California.

Coco-mocha (Dash-In; 814 S. Calhoun St.) – This espresso ice cream pie is available only from May to September. It has a chocolate-coconut crust and is topped with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and toasted almonds. It is ultra chocolaty and super rich.

Coconut cream (Bob’s Restaurant ; 22031 Main St., Woodburn ) – The thick, rich white pudding base on this pie is chock full of tender threads of coconut, has a perfect from-scratch crust and is topped with whipped cream and a handful of toasted coconut.

Sweet potato-pecan (Bourbon Street Hideaway; 135 W. Columbia St.) – Garnished with caramel sauce and served a la mode, this nearly perfect sweet potato pie with a crunchy, sugary pecan pie topping was a wonderful melding of two of my favorite pies.

Vinegar (Lunch Box Café; 8814 Coldwater Road) – This pie does, indeed, have vinegar in it, but not enough to taste. Basically, it is a pecan pie with coconut. It is crunchy, chewy, a little gooey and sweet. Perfect with a piping-hot, fresh cup of coffee.