Let’s take a quick look at what kinds of things really were on the menu for the First Thanksgiving feast. Well, for starters, the Pilgrims probably ate a lot of breads, fish and meats, but the meats most likely included deer, swans, ducks, cranes, and eagles. An interesting variety to be sure, but the lowly wild turkey would likely have been overlooked if fresh venison had been an offering on the table. Fish was a staple of the early settlers’ diet and given the ease of catching them there would have been an abundant supply on the menu.
Sweet potato and pumpkin pies, cranberry sauce, corn on the cob, popcorn, and savory gravies were also not a part of that First Thanksgiving meal. The original Indian corn was used for cornmeal and trying to steam and eat this corn would probably have given you a broken tooth, or some severe indigestion.
Cranberries do grow in the far northern regions of the US but you will not find juicy ripe berries available during late November. Succulent sweet potatoes had not even made the journey to American soil at this time so you can count them out. Pumpkins were a possibility, but you would not have found the kinds of pies and casseroles that now grace our Thanksgiving tables. Instead, there was most likely a pudding stew that had a bit of honey added for a sweetener.
The main thing to remember is that the meal was a way of giving thanks for what was available at the time. There was some good food to eat, and they were able to share what they had with family and friends. This is what Thanksgiving is all about, isn’t it?
LOOKING FOR THAT CORPORATE HOLIDAY GIFT BASKET OR A HOLIDAY GIFT BASKET IDEA?
Tags: baskets, corporate holiday gift basket, gifts, GIVING THANKS, holiday gift basket idea, Thanksgiving, unique holiday gift baskets