Foods Available for the 1621 Pilgrims Thanksgiving Harvest The following is a fairly complete list of the foods available to the Pilgrims during the three-day Thanksgiving harvest celebration. The only foods specifically mentioned by the Pilgrims are: "corn" ie: wheat, by the Pilgrims usage of the word, Indian corn, barley, peas -if any where spared, "fowl" aka "waterfowl", five deer, fish -namely bass and cod, and wild turkey.   Birds: wild turkey, goose, duck, crane, swan, partridge, and other miscellaneous waterfowl; they were also known to have occasionally eaten eagles -which "tasted like mutton" according to Winslow in 1623. Fish: cod, bass, herring, shad, bluefish, and lots of eel. Seafood clams, lobsters, mussels, and very small quantities of oysters Other Meats: venison (deer), possibly some salt pork or chicken. Grain: wheat flour, Indian corn and corn meal; barley (mainly for beer-making). Fruits: raspberries, strawberries, grapes, plums, cherries, blueberries, gooseberries (these would have been dried, as none would have been in season). Vegetables: small quantity of peas, squashes (including pumpkins), beans Nuts: walnuts, chestnuts, acorns, hickory nuts, ground nuts Herbs And Seasonings: onions, leeks, strawberry leaves, currants, sorrel, yarrow, carvel, brooklime, liverwort, watercress, and flax; from England they brought seeds and probably planted radishes, lettuce, carrots, onions, and cabbage. Olive oil in small quantities may have been brought over, though the Pilgrims had to sell most of their oil and butter before sailing, in order to stay on budget. Other: maple syrup, honey; small quantities of butter, Holland cheese; and eggs. - -- -- -- - What They "Did Not Have" On The Original Thanksgiving Menu Ham: The Pilgrims most likely did not have pigs with them. Sweet Potatoes-Potatoes-Yams: These had not yet been introduced to New England. Corn On The Cob: Indian corn was only good for making cornmeal, not eating on the cob. Popcorn: Contrary to popular folklore, popcorn was not introduced at the 1621 Thanksgiving. Indian corn could only be half-popped, and this wouldn't have tasted very good. Cranberry Sauce: Cranberries were available, but sugar was not. Pumpkin Pie: They probably made a pumpkin pudding of sorts, sweetened by honey or syrup, which would be like the filling of a pumpkin pie, but there would be no crust or whipped topping. [ Our Traditional ThanksGiving Recipes ] [ More Holiday Recipe TidBits ] [ Refresh This Page ]