Initially the colonist struggled with farming, hunting and fishing but with assistance from the Wampanoag the diet included game such as deer, rabbit, turkey and waterfowl; fish such as shellfish, mackerel, and herring and vegetables such as corn, squash and beans. For the colder months food was preserved by drying or smoking. Corn could be dried on the cob or removed and ground to make Nokehig to thicken soups. The colonist were used to drinking beer as their water source and unaccustomed to drinking water because they believed it was unsanitary (which was probably true).  In Plimoth, there was a scarcity of beer so they had to learn to drink water. Until cows sheep arrived they also did not have milk so they learned to cook without butter and cheese.  It is possible they may have brought chickens, pigs and goats on the Mayflower. Sugar, spices, vinegar, and oils all were later imported from England.

For more information, please see:

pilgrimhall.org/for-students/homework-help/whats-for-dinner

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