Simmons, Amelia. American Cookery (1796). New York: Eerdmans, 1965.
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The First Pumpkin Pie
As the first cookbook published in the United States, Amelia Simmons’ 1796 American Cookery was self-consciously an indigenous and patriotic text, although with a New England bias. Unlike all culinary observers before her, Simmons cataloged winter squash as a vegetable dish and pumpkin as a dessert—something special to celebrate as a pleasant reward. Simmons made pumpkin pie instead of squash pie because pumpkin meant more. But pumpkin pie was yet to become the special finale of the Thanksgiving meal, however. See recipes below.
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