8 pie fillings that only your grandparents will remember

When you think of butterscotch, the mind first goes to those hard sweets that we used to buy in sweet stores, not as a pie filling. However, in 1904, the butterscotch pie became a popular sweet pie to tuck in to.

The sweet filling was a tasty treat when laid on the pie base, but caramel soon became the favoured pie filling of the two, and butterscotch returned to the sweet store shelves.

Nothing can beat a classic meringue pie, with the lemon variation dominating the scene, but it used to be chocolate that came out on top. The decadent dessert was certainly one that would fill you up if your meal hadn't hit the right spot.

However, with all the sweet flavours, the chocolate meringue pie could run the risk of being too heavy, and so while it's hard to think that something like that could die out, eventually it was replaced by lemon meringue.

It might be hard to imagine these flavours all going together, but our grandparents would sometimes enjoy a slice of this unique pie. The recipe came around as funeral food, as the ingredients were available year-round, meaning there was always something sweet during a moment of grief.

As refrigeration improved, the flavouring fell out of use, although it is still considered to be a delicacy in certain US states.

Unceremoniously referred to as a 'desperation pie', the vinegar pie was one of the last resorts for people going through economic hardship. The vinegar would serve as a replacement for fruits, and its acidity would mix with the custard while baking resulting in a flavour similar to a zesty lemon.

However, as we started being able to keep fruits for longer, substitutions were no longer needed, and now vinegar pie is a rarity.

Another pie born out of desperation was the water pie, with families only turning to this dish when they were no longer able to purchase items like eggs or milk. The pie only needed ingredients like water, flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla, allowing for a sweet meal when needed.

When economic hardship was over, this dish was also deserted, and while some fans of retro food have attempted to revive the old classic, its taste leaves a lot to be desired.

While today we might just use the zest or the juice of a lemon, the shaker lemon pie called for the whole of the citrus fruit to be used. The recipe was popularised by the Shakers, a religious sect that originated in Maine.

Due to its bitter taste, the shaker lemon pie didn't always catch on, with lemon meringue being a popular option for those craving the flavour. What's more, the number of shakers has considerably declined, with only three still in existence.

The humble Marlborough pie dates back all the way back to the 17th century, with the sweet pie consisting of apples, spices, cream and butter. The pie even made its way over with settlers when they crossed the Atlantic, with it being a good way to use up apples close to going over.

However, Marlborough pie wasn't always the quickest pie to make, and as simpler pies with similar flavours started rising in popularity, the Marlborough pie was left behind.

It's not just sweet pies that have fallen away, but several savoury ones also aren't eaten anymore, like the classic Stargazy pie. The dish originated in Cornwall and features fish heads and tails sticking out of the pastry as its signature look.

While you can still find Stargazy pie in Cornwall, it's no longer widespread, with many finding its iconic appearance to be more stomach-churning than appetising.