Ancient Foods & Recipes of the Ages: Early American Pilgrims

What did the pilgrims eat? Following the example of Columbus, European colonists came to the Americas hoping for opportunity, but still expecting the European food that they were used to. They were not to receive it, however. Wheat, which they loved, did not grow well on the East Coast. Corn, a native species that was totally foreign to the colonists, had to be integrated into the diet, along with beans. The sweet potato was even popular in Europe when it was sent there, and it was included in numerous recipes. See chapter 5 for many examples of early American and pilgrim foods.