First Thanksgiving Dinner
A letter written by one of the Pilgrims mentions that they served venison (wild deer) and wild fowl - probably turkey, duck and goose. Rabbit would also have been served. Other traditional items served at an English feast Would have included cornbread and pudding. Cheese was a tasty treat. Vegetables would have included corn, onions and pumpkin. They did NOT eat corn on the cob at the time, The corn was only suitable for dishes and meal. Fish was usually not served at great feasts because it was too "common", but there might have been some lobster or cod. As you might imagine when cooking for 150+ people, the meal was not high on intricate cooking. However, the food was very tasty, as both the English and the Native Americans knew about how to plan for large parties. There were no forks at the time - just knives and spoons, at plates were usually wooden. Here are some suggestions for recipes with a 1600's flair. Note that the early Pilgrims did NOT have pigs so anything involving ham or bacon would be inappropriate. Also note that cranberry was not introduced until many years later. Click here for these and more original Thanksgiving recipes
Page Last Updated: Nov 22, 2018 (08:51:48)
|