If you try to know about the first Thanksgiving menu, you will be really surprised because the  best 5 first Thanksgiving menu ideas which were popular at that time were totally different from what we get to have today. This was mainly because lack of  availability of many ingredients.

Pilgrims ate those things which were easily available during their journey. Thus, we can say that the first Thanksgiving menu did not have imported wine, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and even olives, but still they were a collection of some excellently prepared delicacies. The best 5 first Thanksgiving menu ideas might have been the following:

Turkey– The first Thanksgiving menu probably had turkey but these were smaller than the hybrid version we get to see today. The turkeys which were included in the Thanksgiving menu had less quantity of white meat and had more of dark meat. It is also believed that such meat was little less tender. However, it is known that the flavor of such a turkey was certainly better than the present ones.

Fishes – These were found in abundance and it is believed that the first menu included fish such as eels, tuna and even lobsters. Fishes were roasted on an open fire and took much more time to cook. Sauces and herbs were not added to these fishes as these were not much available. Salt was the only seasoning available for the pilgrims.

Vegetables – These were found in abundance and pilgrims often carried raw vegetables with them while traveling. It is also known that many of these vegetables were grown by them when they stayed at a place for a few days.

The most common vegetables which they cooked were corn, beans and squash. The use of potatoes in the first Thanksgiving menu is still doubtful as these were originally grown in Peru and later moved to Europe by the immigrants.

Pumpkin – Yes, pumpkins were a part of the first Thanksgiving menu and were very popular too. However, pumpkin pie was not served. Pumpkins were cooked in different ways and much appreciated by the pilgrims. Since food was cooked mainly in coals of a fire, pumpkin was baked on coal fire. This made the pumpkins taste very fresh and delicious. Whole pumpkin was usually baked and eaten by the group of pilgrims.

Dried blueberries, grapes and nuts – A dessert was prepared with grapes, dried blueberries and nuts which were easily available to the pilgrims. It is believed that these fruits were well ground and also served as drinks among members of the group. Other fruits which were available were often added to enhance the taste of the dessert. It is also believed that mashed pumpkins were also used in making this dessert which became a famous Thanksgiving dessert in the later years.
 

Image credits - turkeyfarmersofcanada.ca
mentalfloss.com , tastytrends.blogspot.com