by T. Scott Randolph

Created on: November 02, 2009   Last Updated: December 26, 2009

After the brutal times that marked the first winter the Pilgrims spent in the New World (1620-21) in which close to half of the original colonist died of starvation or disease, the Pilgrims ate a diet that was quite varied. Thanks to the help of two Native Americans that were sent by the local Sachem (loosely translated to chief, erroneously labeled as King by the colonists). These two saviours were named Squanto and Hobomok. Thanks to them, the Pilgrims learned ways to survive in the New World. This was literally life or death for the colonists. Even the few that had been farmers in the old country now found themselves in an environment that often did not support the agriculture that they were use to growing.

The Native Americans taught them how to catch eels from the sea as well as the cod and bass that were numerous in the area. Wild game played an important part in the diet. As stated before, this was a new country with a radically different climate that was much colder in the winter, many of the farming techniques that the Pilgrims had used back home would not work here. Squanto and Hobomok taught them to plant maize (corn) and other crops such as pumpkins, gourds, and other types of squash. This was an important crop because beyond the food aspect, the empty shell of the gourds (which belong to the same family as pumpkins and squash) worked very well as a water containers, storage containers or bowls. Without the gourd, a bowl or plate would have to be carved out of wood. Probably more important was the fact that the Native Americans taught them how to fertilize the fields so they would have a larger crop and thus have food during the next winter. The importance of the Native American help cannot be overstated. The Pilgrims got a crash course in one season, information that the local tribes had to learn over generations and generations.

Because of the location next to the Atlantic Ocean, many of the foods they ate came from the sea. As stated earlier there was eel and cod. The food that New England is famous for now would have been there then as well. Lobster, clams and other mollusks, as well as crab.

Of course at the time of the colony the land was still forested. The Pilgrims could collect berries, fruit, and various nuts. The forest was filled with animals that were used as food (as well as a source of animal skins for clothing). There were deer, beaver and several kinds of fowl. Wild turkeys, goose, ducks and swans were abundant. Many types of fowl

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