A 100 Years of Thanksgiving Dinners

Norman Rockwell's cover for Literary Digest 1919

I was pondering the tradition of the "Thanksgiving Feast" and was rather curious to see how it has changed over the years. I was very surprised how it HAS NOT changed! Here are a few menus from my cookbook collection.

 

"The Original Fannie Farmer 1896 Cookbook" copyright 1896

Oyster Soup      Crisp Crackers

Celery      Salted Almonds

Roast Turkey

Cranberry Jelly      Mashed Potatoes

Onions in Cream      Chicken Pie

Squash 

Fruit Pudding and Sterling Sauce

Mince, Apple and Squash Pie

Neapolitan Ice Cream      Fancy Cakes

Fruit      Bonbons

Nuts and Raisins      Crackers and Cheese

Cafe Noir

 

"White House Cookbook" copyright 1899

~Breakfast~

Grapes      Oak Flakes

Broiled Porterhouse Steaks

Codfish Balls      Browned Potatoes

Buckwheat Cakes and Maple Syrup

Wheat Bread      Coffee

~Dinner~

Oysters on Half Shells

Cream of Chicken Soup

Fried Smelts   Sauce Tartare

Roast Turkey      Cranberry Sauce

Mashed Potatoes      Baked Squash

Boiled Onions      Parsnip Fritters

Olives

Chicken Salad      Venison Pastry

    Pumpkin Pie      Mince Pie

Charlotte Russe      Almond Ice Cream

Lemon Jelly       Hickory Nut Cake

Cheese      Fruits

Coffee

~Super~

Cold Roast Turkey

Scalloped Oysters      Potato Salad

Cream Short-cake      Eclairs

Preserved Egg Plums

Tea

 

"Good Housekeeping's Book of Meals" copyright 1930

Menu #1

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Roast Turkey      Giblet Gravy

Buttered Spinach      Mashed Potatoes

Cauliflower with Hollandaise Sauce

Cranberry Jelly

Romaine Salad and French Dressing

Individual Pumpkin Pies

Nuts      Whipped Cream

Raisins      Coffee

 

Menu #2

Halves of Grapefruit

Roast Duck      Apple Stuffing

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Creamed Turnips      Cole-Slaw

Baked Squash

Cider      Ginger Pudding

Foamy Sauce      Coffee

 

 

"Betty Crocker's Good and Easy Cookbook" copyright 1954

"American Traditional"

Roast Turkey with Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes      Giblet Gravy

Creamed Onions

Mashed Rutabagas

Cranberry Sauce      Hot Rolls

Celery Hearts

Mince Pie      Pumpkin Pie

 

Isn't that interesting?! I thought it was fascinating that Turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberries have all stayed consistent. One can also see as the years have gone by how the menu has been simplified. I thought it was very interesting that the updated Fannie Farmer Cookbook (1922) had the same dishes as the earlier edition.

Happy Cooking!!

And don't forget your Apron!!