The first Thanksgiving likely featured venison, wild fowl, fish, shellfish, corn, beans, squash, and regional fruits and nuts.
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was a three-day feast attended by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans.
The exact menu is not well-documented, but historical records and accounts provide insights into the foods likely present.
The Pilgrims, who had a meager harvest that year, contributed dishes such as venison and wild fowl, possibly turkey or waterfowl.
The Wampanoag brought offerings like fish, shellfish, and local game, enhancing the variety of proteins.
Vegetables likely included indigenous crops like corn, beans, and squash, which were staples for both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag.
The Pilgrims may have prepared these vegetables in European styles, while the Wampanoag might have used traditional cooking methods.
Other regional ingredients, fruits, and nuts could have supplemented the feast.
The absence of sugar in the Pilgrims' diet suggests that the meal was not as sweet as modern Thanksgiving feasts.
It's essential to note that the first Thanksgiving wasn't a formal event; rather, it was a communal gathering celebrating the harvest and fostering goodwill between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag.
The exact dishes served might have varied, but the event laid the foundation for the Thanksgiving traditions observed today.
Question
What did they eat at the very first Thanksgiving in 1621?