First Feast Forensics - Episode 2: Preserving the Harvest: Colonial and Native American Food Storage Methods Welcome back to First Feast Forensics. In our last episode, we explored what was actually served at the first Thanksgiving celebration. Today, we're diving deep into how these foods were preserved by both the colonists and Wampanoag. The successful preservation of food was quite literally a matter of life and death in 17th century New England, and the techniques used tell us fascinating stories about both cultures. The winter of 1620-21 had been devastating for the Plymouth colonists, with nearly half their number perishing. By the time of the first Thanksgiving in autumn 1621, they had learned crucial preservation techniques from the Wampanoag that would help them survive future winters. These methods were far more sophisticated than many people realize, combining both European and Native American expertise. Let's start with smoking, perhaps the most crucial preservation technique used by both cultures. The Wampanoag had developed a complex understanding of different woods and their smoking properties over thousands of years. Hickory was preferred for meat smoking, while cedar and alder were used for fish. The smoke house structures themselves were carefully designed to maintain specific temperature and humidity levels. Archaeological evidence shows that colonial smoking structures gradually evolved to incorporate Native American design elements, creating more effective hybrid preservation systems. The colonists brought their own smoking traditions from England, but these had to be adapted to New World materials and conditions. European smoking techniques typically used cold smoking for bacon and ham, but the different climate and available wood types in New England required new approaches. The fusion of English and Wampanoag smoking methods created unique flavors that would influence American cuisine for generations. The practical differences between English and Wampanoag smoking techniques were substantial. English smokehouses were typically enclosed structures with the fire outside, connected by a flue. The Wampanoag often used more open structures, taking advantage of natural wind patterns and creating different temperature zones for various types of preservation. By the autumn of 1621, the Plymouth settlement had likely developed hybrid smoking structures that combined both approaches. Archaeological evidence from colonial sites reveals the remnants of these smoking structures. Post holes and charred earth patterns show where smokehouses stood, while soil analysis has revealed traces of the woods used. Hickory, oak, and apple wood were commonly employed, each imparting distinct flavors and preservation properties. The colonists quickly learned that different woods produced dramatically different results - something the Wampanoag had known for generations. Drying was another crucial preservation method, particularly for corn, the staple crop that would sustain both communities through winter. The Wampanoag technique for drying corn was remarkably efficient. Corn would be harvested at full maturity, then braided into long strands called corn masses. These would be hung in specialized drying structures that protected the grain from rain while allowing air circulation. The colonists adopted this technique almost immediately, recognizing its superiority to European grain storage methods. Fish drying was perhaps the most sophisticated preservation process used by both cultures. The Wampanoag had perfected a technique of split-drying fish that removed most moisture while preserving nutrients. Fish would be split, cleaned, and dried on specially constructed wooden racks. The height of these racks, their angle to prevailing winds, and even the spacing between fish were all carefully calculated to achieve optimal drying conditions. The colonists combined these native drying techniques with their own salting methods, creating what would become a signature New England product: salt cod. The preservation of cod became so important to the colony's economy that it would eventually become one of their primary trade goods. The technique involved laying split cod in salt for several days before drying, a process that created a product that could last for months or even years. Root cellars represented another fascinating merger of European and Native American technologies. The Wampanoag had long practiced underground storage, particularly for crops like squash and roots. They created sophisticated storage pits lined with bark and dried grass, which could maintain relatively stable temperatures throughout winter. Archaeological excavations have revealed these pits throughout the New England region, many still containing traces of their original contents. The English colonists combined these native storage techniques with their own tradition of root cellars, creating hybrid storage systems that worked better ...
