“Uncover the Surprising Truth: The Hidden Histories Behind Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes!”
With its rich, nutty flavor, pecan pie now rivals pumpkin pie as a holiday favorite.
11. Apple Pie
Apple pie might scream “America,” but it actually has British roots. Apples themselves weren’t native to North America, settlers brought them over from Europe and created orchards.
The Brits have been making pies since the 1300s, but apple pie wasn’t popular in the U.S. until the 1700s. Now, apple pie is an American classic and a beloved Thanksgiving dessert, often served right alongside pumpkin pie.
12. Macaroni and Cheese
This comfort food classic might surprise some as a Thanksgiving dish, but Thomas Jefferson is credited with introducing macaroni and cheese to the United States after trying it in France and requesting that one of his enslaved people recreate the dish.
Now, especially in the South, mac and cheese has become a rich, cheesy addition to the Thanksgiving table.
13. Succotash
Succotash, a mix of corn and beans, has Native American origins. The Narragansett people called it “misckquatash,” meaning boiled corn, and it became a staple dish for early settlers.
Though it’s less common on today’s Thanksgiving tables, succotash is still popular in New England and parts of the South as a nod to the holiday’s Native American roots.
14. Wine and Cider
Colonists quickly learned how to make cider from local apples, as it was safer than drinking water at the time. Imported wine was also a treat during celebrations.
