The first Thanksgiving, a harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native American tribe in 1621, is a pivotal event in American history. While we often associate this celebration with traditional dishes like roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, the question remains: did they have pie at the first Thanksgiving? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the first Thanksgiving, explore the culinary traditions of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, and examine the evidence to answer this question.
A Brief History of the First Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving took place in the fall of 1621 at the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, early European settlers of the United States, had arrived in Plymouth the previous year and struggled to adapt to the new environment. With the help of the Wampanoag tribe, they were able to plant and harvest a successful crop of corn, which led to a bountiful harvest.
To celebrate this achievement, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag came together for a three-day feast, which included food, games, and other festivities. This event was not only a celebration of the harvest but also a symbol of the friendship and alliance between the two groups.
Culinary Traditions of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
To understand what might have been served at the first Thanksgiving, it’s essential to explore the culinary traditions of both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag.
The Pilgrims, being English, brought their own culinary traditions with them to America. They were familiar with a variety of sweet and savory pies, which were a staple in English cuisine. These pies were often filled with ingredients like meat, vegetables, and fruits, and were cooked in a pastry crust.
The Wampanoag, on the other hand, had their own unique culinary traditions. They were skilled hunters and gatherers, and their diet consisted mainly of foods like deer, turkey, fish, and corn. They also made use of the abundant fruits and nuts in the area, including wild grapes, blueberries, and walnuts.
Pie in Early American Cuisine
Pie has a long history in American cuisine, dating back to the early colonial period. The first pies in America were likely made by the English colonists, who brought their own pie-making traditions with them.
These early pies were often made with ingredients like meat, vegetables, and fruits, and were cooked in a pastry crust. The crust was typically made from flour, water, and fat (like lard or butter), and was often quite thick and dense.
One of the earliest written records of pie in America comes from a book called “American Cookery” by Amelia Simmons, published in 1796. This book includes a recipe for a “pumpion” pie, which is essentially a pumpkin pie made with cooked pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, and spices.
Did They Have Pie at the First Thanksgiving?
So, did they have pie at the first Thanksgiving? While we can’t know for certain, there are several pieces of evidence that suggest pie might have been on the menu.
First, we know that the Pilgrims were familiar with pie-making and had the necessary ingredients to make a pie. They had access to flour, water, and fat, which were the basic ingredients for a pastry crust. They also had a variety of fillings to choose from, including fruits, nuts, and meats.
Second, we know that the Wampanoag were skilled hunters and gatherers, and had access to a variety of ingredients that could be used in a pie. They had an abundance of fruits, nuts, and game meats, which could have been used to make a delicious and savory pie.
Finally, we have a written account of the first Thanksgiving from a Pilgrim named Edward Winslow, who wrote a letter to a friend in England describing the celebration. In this letter, Winslow mentions that the Wampanoag brought “great store of wild fowl” to the feast, which could have been used to make a pie.
While this evidence is circumstantial, it suggests that pie might have been on the menu at the first Thanksgiving.
Pie at the First Thanksgiving: A Theory
So, what kind of pie might have been served at the first Thanksgiving? While we can’t know for certain, here’s a theory:
It’s possible that the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag made a pie using ingredients that were readily available to them. They might have used a filling made from wild fowl, like turkey or duck, and added some fruits and nuts to give it flavor and texture.
They might have also used a pastry crust made from flour, water, and fat, which would have been a staple in English cuisine. This crust would have been quite thick and dense, and might have been cooked in a wood-fired oven or over an open flame.
Here’s a recipe for a pie that might have been served at the first Thanksgiving:
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| 1 cup wild fowl (like turkey or duck), cooked and diced | Preheat oven to 375°F. |
| 1 cup mixed fruits (like cranberries, blueberries, and grapes) | In a large bowl, combine the wild fowl, fruits, and nuts. |
| 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) | Mix well to combine. |
| 1 pie crust (made from flour, water, and fat) | Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. |
Conclusion
While we can’t know for certain whether pie was served at the first Thanksgiving, the evidence suggests that it’s possible. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag had the necessary ingredients and culinary traditions to make a delicious and savory pie.
Whether or not pie was actually served at the first Thanksgiving, it’s clear that this dish has become an integral part of American cuisine and culture. From pumpkin pie to apple pie, pie is a staple of American desserts and a symbol of the country’s rich culinary heritage.
So the next time you sit down to enjoy a slice of pie, remember the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, who might have enjoyed a similar treat over 400 years ago.
What is the origin of the first Thanksgiving?
The first Thanksgiving is believed to have taken place in 1621 at the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. It was a harvest feast shared by the English colonists, known as the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag Native American tribe. The feast was a celebration of the successful harvest and the alliance between the two groups.
The exact details of the first Thanksgiving are not well-documented, and much of what we know today comes from a letter written by Edward Winslow, one of the Pilgrims, to a friend in England. The letter describes a three-day feast that included food, games, and other festivities. However, it does not specifically mention pie as one of the dishes served.
What foods were likely served at the first Thanksgiving?
The foods served at the first Thanksgiving would have been based on what was available to the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in the early 17th century. This would have included a variety of meats, such as venison, wild fowl, and possibly even seafood. They would have also had access to a range of vegetables, including squash, carrots, and onions.
In addition to these foods, the Pilgrims would have also had access to a variety of grains, including wheat, barley, and corn. They would have used these grains to make bread, porridge, and possibly even beer. However, it’s unlikely that they would have had the same variety of foods that we associate with Thanksgiving today, including pie.
Did the Pilgrims have the ingredients to make pie?
While the Pilgrims would have had access to a variety of ingredients, including fruits, nuts, and grains, it’s unlikely that they would have had the same type of sugar and spices that we use to make pie today. Sugar was a rare and expensive commodity in the early 17th century, and the Pilgrims would have had limited access to it.
Additionally, the Pilgrims would not have had the same type of pastry dough that we use to make pie crusts today. They would have had to rely on more traditional ingredients, such as flour, water, and fat, to make a crust. While it’s possible that they could have made a type of pie, it would have been very different from the pies we know today.
What type of pie might the Pilgrims have made?
If the Pilgrims had made a type of pie, it would have likely been a savory pie rather than a sweet one. They would have used ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and grains to make a filling, and would have topped it with a crust made from flour, water, and fat.
One possibility is that they might have made a type of pie similar to a modern-day pot pie. This would have been a filling made from meat, vegetables, and grains, topped with a crust made from flour, water, and fat. However, without more information, it’s impossible to know for sure what type of pie the Pilgrims might have made.
When did pie become a traditional part of Thanksgiving?
Pie did not become a traditional part of Thanksgiving until much later. In fact, the first pumpkin pie recipe was not published until 1796, more than 150 years after the first Thanksgiving. It’s likely that pie became a part of Thanksgiving celebrations in the mid-to-late 19th century, as American cuisine began to take shape.
The tradition of serving pie at Thanksgiving was likely influenced by European customs, where pie was a common dessert. As American cuisine developed, pie became a staple of many holiday meals, including Thanksgiving. Today, pie is a beloved part of many Thanksgiving celebrations, with pumpkin pie being a particular favorite.
What role does pie play in modern-day Thanksgiving celebrations?
Pie plays a significant role in modern-day Thanksgiving celebrations. For many families, pie is a traditional part of the holiday meal, and is often served as a dessert. Pumpkin pie is a particular favorite, but other types of pie, such as apple and pecan, are also popular.
In addition to being a delicious dessert, pie also plays a symbolic role in Thanksgiving celebrations. It’s often seen as a way to bring people together, and is often served at family gatherings and other social events. Many people also have fond memories of eating pie at Thanksgiving, and it’s often a part of family traditions and holiday rituals.
Can we ever know for sure if they had pie at the first Thanksgiving?
Unfortunately, we can never know for sure if they had pie at the first Thanksgiving. The exact details of the first Thanksgiving are not well-documented, and much of what we know today comes from a few scattered accounts written by the Pilgrims and other early colonists.
While we can make educated guesses about what might have been served at the first Thanksgiving, we can never know for sure. However, by studying the history of American cuisine and the traditions of the Pilgrims and other early colonists, we can get a sense of what might have been served at the first Thanksgiving, and how pie became a part of later Thanksgiving celebrations.