Thanksgiving dinner menus differ from family to family, often featuring staples like turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and corn. Although there is limited documentation regarding the foods served at the First Thanksgiving dinner, it is known that the Pilgrims served turkey and corn, which reflect modern Thanksgiving traditions.
Turkey and Other Wild Beasts
Research indicates that the Pilgrims enjoyed wild turkey during the first Thanksgiving dinner; however, it likely wasn't the centerpiece of the meal. Instead, duck or goose probably took the spotlight as the main dish. Alongside this, the Pilgrims also prepared various meats, including venison (deer meat). The Thanksgiving cuisine we know today began to take shape in the mid-1800s in the United States. This was a period marked by a renewed interest in the history of colonial America, and it was during the 19th century that the tradition of the Thanksgiving Day dinner—featuring turkey and potatoes—was established.
Indian Corn at The First Thanksgiving Dinner
Corn was on the table at the first Thanksgiving dinner and continues to be a staple of the holiday today. Edward Winslow, one of the founders of Plymouth Colony, wrote that the spring before Thanksgiving, the settlers planted 20 acres of Indian corn (also known as flint corn). The abundant crop was served for the very first time that fall, for Thanksgiving.
Modern Day Thanksgivings
Today, the corn found on most Thanksgiving tables is sweet yellow corn. However, Indian corn has remained a part of American cuisine. Use a variation of Indian corn to produce colored kernels in your popped corn. Additionally, Indian corn cobs can be used to decorate the Thanksgiving table.