Ancestral Findings Podcast – Episode AF-1193

“The Pumpkin Pie History”

Host: AncestralFindings.com
Date: November 29, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the rich and surprising history of pumpkin pie, tracing its evolution from indigenous American agriculture through colonial adaptations to its status as an iconic American holiday dessert. The host dives deep into how pumpkin pie became a staple of Thanksgiving and Christmas tables, examining the influence of both Native American and European culinary traditions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pumpkin’s Origins in America

• Pumpkin’s Native Roots:
  • Pumpkins are native to North and Central America and were cultivated by indigenous peoples for their versatility and nutritional value.
• Native American Uses:
  • Every part of the pumpkin was used—seeds, flesh, and even blossoms.

2. Pumpkins in Europe

• Early European Encounters (00:54):
  • Europeans first encountered pumpkins in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. First recorded European mention was in 1536.
  • Seeds were brought back to Europe, and pumpkins quickly gained popularity in England and France.
• Etymology:
  • Known as “pompeians” in England and “pompons” in France, derived from the Greek “pepon” (large melon).

3. Early Pumpkin Pie Recipes

• Medieval Pie Traditions (02:00):
  • England’s medieval pies often contained meats, fruits, and spices in a thick pastry crust.
• First Pumpkin Pie Recipe:
  • The 17th-century English cookbook features one of the earliest known pumpkin pie recipes.
  • Quote (02:52):
    “A 1670 recipe by English author Hannah Woolley called for boiling the pumpkin flesh and mixing it with herbs like rosemary and thyme before baking it in a crust.”
  • Sweetness came from honey or molasses; spices like nutmeg and cinnamon were added to enhance flavor.

4. Pumpkin Pie in Colonial America

• Settler Adaptations (03:41):
  • Colonists brought English pie-making traditions but had to adapt due to lack of familiar ingredients and harsh conditions.
  • Native Americans taught settlers to cultivate pumpkins and other native crops.
• Early Colonial Pie Methods:
  • Quote (04:09):
    “One method involved hollowing out a pumpkin, filling it with milk, honey, and spices, and then roasting it in hot ashes, a rudimentary but delicious precursor to the pumpkin pie.”

5. Pumpkin at the First Thanksgiving

• Pumpkin’s Role in Early Feasts (04:31):
  • While a 1621 pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving is unlikely, pumpkins were surely included in some form.

6. Pumpkin Pie Becomes “American”

• Development of Modern Pumpkin Pie (05:02):
  • As flour became more common, recipes began to resemble today’s pumpkin pie.
  • American Cookbooks:
    • Amelia Simmons’s “American Cookery” (1796), the first American cookbook, features two recipes for pumpkin pudding baked in a crust – essentially the modern pumpkin pie.
• Regionalism and Cultural Resistance:
  • Initially a New England dish, pumpkin pie’s association with Thanksgiving led to resistance in the South.
  • Quote (06:20):*
    “When Thanksgiving was proclaimed a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, some Southern states resisted … an editorial in a Richmond, Virginia, newspaper even criticized Thanksgiving as an annual custom, Northern in its origin and specifically took issue with pumpkin pie and roast turkey.”

7. Pumpkin Pie Goes National

• Post–Civil War Popularity (06:51):
  • Spread across America via women’s magazines and cookbooks.
• Industrial Revolution Changes Baking:
  • Introduction of canned pumpkin by the Libby Company in 1929 made pie-making far easier and more accessible.

8. Modern Pumpkin Pie and Its Legacy

• Variations and Customs:
  • Bakers now experiment with add-ins (cream cheese, maple syrup), crusts (graham cracker), and toppings (pecans).
• Pumpkin Pie as Cultural Icon:
  • Shows up in literature, art, and music as a comforting symbol of home.
  • Quote (07:38):*
    “As you savor your next slice of pumpkin pie, consider the rich history baked into every bite… The pumpkin pie is more than just a dessert. It's a testament to cultural exchange, innovation, and the enduring power of food to bring people together.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the collaborative origin of pumpkin pie:
  “Weaving together the culinary traditions of Native Americans and European settlers, let's delve into the fascinating tale of how pumpkin pie became a staple on our holiday tables.” (00:10)

• Describing pumpkin’s journey:
  “The pumpkin's journey to becoming a pie has deep roots in American soil.” (01:16)

• Reflections on harvest traditions:
  “Pumpkin pie holds a place of honor alongside the turkey itself.” (01:28)

• On the evolution of the pie:
  “Some bakers experiment with graham cracker crusts or sprinkle pecans on top for added texture.” (07:10)

• Cultural weight:
  “It's a dessert that brings families together, evoking nostalgia and warmth.” (07:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – 01:46: The association of pumpkin and autumn; early American history of pumpkin
• 01:47 – 02:38: Pumpkin introduced to Europe; medieval pie traditions
• 02:39 – 03:34: Early English pumpkin pie recipes
• 03:35 – 04:44: Colonial adaptations and Native American influence
• 04:45 – 05:15: Pumpkin at the first Thanksgiving
• 05:16 – 06:35: Early American cookbooks; regionalism and Thanksgiving
• 06:36 – 07:11: Post–Civil War spread; canned pumpkin revolution
• 07:12 – 07:48: Pumpkin pie today; cultural iconography and traditions

Tone & Language

• Warm, inviting, and informative—tailored for genealogy and history enthusiasts.
• The host’s language is both story-driven and factual, drawing a direct line between culinary history and American heritage.

Summary Flow

The episode unfolds as a narrative, beginning with the origin of pumpkins, tracing their way from the Americas to Europe, and then back into the American colonial diet. The discussion weaves practical, cultural, and even political threads—showing how pumpkin pie moved from Native gardens, through colonial improvisation, and into modern American traditions with all their rich symbolism and regional pride. The host encourages listeners to think of their own traditions and the layers of history and meaning in foods familiar to us all.

For listeners interested in family and food history, this episode offers a compelling and accessible account of an American classic—reminding us that every slice of pumpkin pie is, in fact, a slice of history.