The foods we enjoy on Thanksgiving are more than dishes—they are a living connection to the land and its history. Ingredients like sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkins, and turkey have been cultivated and revered for centuries by Indigenous communities. These staples were not just sustenance but symbols of the harvest’s bounty and the cycles of nature. As we sit down to our Thanksgiving meals, we partake in traditions that honor the richness of the earth and the wisdom of those who lived in harmony with it.

SWEET POTATOES 

Sweet potatoes are a foundational food in Indigenous American agricultural practices. They were a key crop for many Native American tribes, especially in the Southeast, and were one of the first crops cultivated by Indigenous peoples. These tubers became a staple of their diet because of their ability to thrive in various climates and their capacity to store well through the winter months. When the Pilgrims and Indigenous peoples sat down to their first Thanksgiving feast in 1621, foods like sweet potatoes were already integral to their lives, though sweet potatoes were likely not part of that particular feast. Over time, sweet potatoes became associated with Thanksgiving meals due to their abundance during the harvest season. They symbolize nourishment and preparation, embodying the survival and sustainability that Indigenous agricultural practices provided. Today, sweet potatoes are a symbol of abundance and gratitude during Thanksgiving, offering a connection to the earth’s generosity.

CRANBERRIES

Cranberries were one of the first foods that the Indigenous peoples introduced to European settlers. They were a highly prized berry not just for their culinary uses, but for their medicinal properties. Cranberries were often used to treat infections and diseases, and Native Americans taught the settlers how to incorporate them into their diet. The first Thanksgiving likely featured cranberries, although not in the form of the cranberry sauce we enjoy today. Early Americans would have likely used cranberries in a more basic, less sweetened form—possibly dried or incorporated into a savory dish. Over time, cranberry sauce became a staple of Thanksgiving meals, offering a contrast to the richer, heavier dishes. Cranberries symbolize the resourcefulness of the harvest and the ongoing relationship between settlers and Indigenous peoples, highlighting the sharing of knowledge and the importance of preserving the harvest. Cranberries are now an essential part of the Thanksgiving table, embodying the season’s harvest and the legacy of collaboration between the two cultures.

PUMPKINS

Pumpkins have a long history in the Thanksgiving tradition, largely due to their connection with Indigenous agricultural practices. Native Americans were the first to cultivate pumpkins, along with other squash varieties, as part of the Three Sisters planting system. This sustainable system involved planting corn, beans, and squash together, each supporting the growth of the others. Pumpkins were integral to the harvest celebrations of Indigenous peoples, symbolizing the abundance of the earth. While pumpkin pie as we know it today was not likely part of the first Thanksgiving meal, pumpkins were certainly present at early harvest feasts. The introduction of pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving is thought to have occurred as early as the 17th century, with settlers adapting their recipes using available ingredients. Pumpkins symbolize the spirit of Thanksgiving—sustenance, nourishment, and a deep respect for the land’s offerings. They continue to be featured on Thanksgiving tables as a reminder of the harvest's bounty and the ingenuity of Indigenous agricultural systems.

TURKEY

Turkey is perhaps the most iconic Thanksgiving food, but its role in the holiday dates back to early harvest feasts. Wild turkeys were native to North America and were an important food source for Indigenous peoples long before the arrival of European settlers. Indigenous communities hunted wild turkeys and used every part of the bird for food, feathers, and even for ceremonial purposes. When the Pilgrims arrived, they likely hunted wild turkeys during their first autumn in America, but turkey may not have been the main dish at the first Thanksgiving. It became an integral part of Thanksgiving meals as the holiday evolved, particularly as it symbolized abundance and the generosity of the land. Over the centuries, turkey became synonymous with Thanksgiving due to its role in early American harvest feasts. Today, turkey anchors the holiday meal, representing both tradition and togetherness, as it was for both Indigenous peoples and early colonists. The turkey continues to be the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table, connecting us to the historical roots of the holiday.

The foods of Thanksgiving tell stories of the land, the people who first cultivated it, and the enduring cycles of nature. Sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkins, and turkey are more than ingredients; they are symbols of resilience, abundance, and care. As we gather to share this meal, we honor the traditions that shaped it and the connection it fosters among us. Thanksgiving is a moment to pause and reflect—a simple act of gratitude for the land and the bonds we share.