November 21, 2001
THE MENU OF THE FIRST THANKSGIVIN'

THE MENU OF THE FIRST THANKSGIVING: According to the History Channel, the following things were not on the menu:

  • Pumpkin pie (Yet to be invented, though they had-- yum, yum-- stewed pumpkin)
  • Cranberry sauce (No sugar)
  • Corn on the cob (Their corn was dried)
  • Sweet potatoes (Weren't available)

The couple of primary source accounts we have confirm that venison and wild fowl were eaten at the big feast. Some other possible menu items:

  • Swan
  • Eel
  • Baby seal (Yes, I'm serious-- the History Channel says seal, no reason that wouldn't mean baby seal.)
  • Acorns
  • Crane
  • Eagle (Check it out if you don't believe me.)
  • More palatable items might have included lobster, chestnuts, carrots, clams, leeks, cod, plums, and grapes.
They didn't have forks either.

Posted by shilohbucher at November 21, 2001 07:39 PM