Ya bunch of ingrates, ya!
People are familiar with the Stories of Christopher Columbus, supposedly, discovering America. That was in 1492. Over the next century and a half all sorts of Europeans flocked to the “New World”. Among these settlers were several groups of British adventurers and asylum seekers. One particular group earned the generic term: Pilgrims. They landed on the shores of Provincetown, Massachusetts in November, 1620, then moved on to Plymouth, MA in December. About 100 people made the trip from Plymouth England to Plymouth, Mass. One would think the first Thanksgiving dinner would coincide with this landing in 1620. But, it was winter then. The first thanksgiving actually marked the first Anniversary of their landing. If they dined on what few supplies were on their ships, the complaining would lead to shouts of Ya bunch of ingrates, ya! Instead, we get to celebrate A happy thanksgiving this and every year since.
For a comparison, look to the North. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October. 40 years before the American version, a group of explorers celebrated with the boiled beef and peas they had in their supplies. English Explorer Martin Forbisher used the occasion to boost the morale of his men when they landed on Canadian soil, and gave thanks to God for those who survived the journey. The American Version actually gave thanks for being in a new world with new neighbors and a new way of life. And, despite the horrors that followed, the original pilgrims and Indigenous people actually did get along, at least for that first year. Of course, the introduction of Europeans to the Americas resulted in unimaginable atrocities. But, that first American Thanksgiving celebrated the commonality of all people despite religious and political proclivities.
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Did John Smith really yell, “Ya bunch of ingrates, ya!”?
Americans think fondly of the Pilgrims as the founders of the country. But, few know who they actually were. They weren’t conquerors and intrepid explorers like the Conquistadors who subjugated South and Central America. They were a small group of religious zealots outcast by their church. While we applaud religious freedom, and should. These people were persecuted for their beliefs. In the 1500’s Henry the 8th split from both the catholic and Protestant churches to create the “Church of England”. Under his daughter’s rule, a group of Protestants refused to submit to the new church. They fled to the Netherlands for asylum. But, this was not their native land. So, they sought a place of their own. Over the course of decades, they found some financial backing, and a means to escape to the promise of “the new world”.
They secured 2 ships, the speedwell and the Mayflower. The Speedwell made a couple port stops, but kept taking on water. Deeming it unsafe for the longer journey, the organizers moved as many passengers as they could onto the mayflower, and set sail for America. They encountered a few movie worthy bits of drama on the way. The main beam cracked, but they were able to bolt it together temporarily. A passenger fell overboard, but was able to grab on to a rope. Two people died. And, a baby was born while at sea. Plus, with the loss of the Speedwell, they also lost some time. So, instead of arriving in good weather, it was past harvest time when they landed. You can bet there was some grumbling along the way, and for sure, some of the leaders had to utter phrases like, “Ya bunch of ingrates, ya!”
Who were these people?
Think about that journey for a minute. The boat is about 106 feet long and 25 feet wide. The living quarters are about 1600 square feet (that’s about the size of a modest 2 to 3 bedroom home or apartment). There were 102 passengers and 30 crew. Below decks, there were no windows. And, more importantly, no bathrooms. Plus the ceilings were only about 5 feet high. The journey took 66 days. And, when they landed, they had no place to go. So, they lived on the ship. In December, they moved upland to Plymouth where there was a deserted Wampanoag village because most of its occupants had died from an illness. Surprisingly, half of the occupants of the Mayflower also died over the next few months from winter illnesses. But, by the spring they were able to build enough houses for the remaining people.
While most of the people were separatists from the Church of England, there were still some loyalists in the group. The men signed the Mayflower compact, a document declaring their new settlement a colony of the British Empire. Regardless of fealty, these were some relatively radical people. In some ways this experiment was like a commune with some radical hippies. We complain about celebrities naming kids things like Chastity, Blanket, and Moon Unit. But, these people did the same. On the passenger list we have several families with children named Love, Remember, Wrestling, Resolved, and Perigrine. The Baby born on ship received the name Oceanus, because, of course…
Don’t forget, the reason they were outcasts is because the Church outlawed religious freedom. So, it was a grand, noble idea that brought them here. Ironically, their descendants and conservatives to this day practice religious and cultural intolerance.
Ya bunch of Ingrate, Illegal immigrants…
Recently, we have heard a lot about illegal immigrants, and how “they’re sending us their criminals”. Well, the “Pilgrims” weren’t exactly beloved members of their country. In fact, William Bradford and most of the group left the country to avoid political retribution for their beliefs. In the eyes of England, they were criminals on the lam. They settled in the Netherlands; but, feared remaining there would result in a loss of cultural identity. So, they abandoned their temporary refuge to make an uncertain voyage to a land they only heard about. Sounds like what a lot of our current immigrants are going through. Mind you, they didn’t have any authority to enter the colonies. And, the Mayflower compact was a document they made up to declare their crossing legal. I’m not sure what the Wampanoags thought of this declaration, since they already occupied the land.
Bringing European sensibility and ideas to an uncivilized region justified their existence on this land. When indigenous people found themselves displaced, tortured, hunted, proselytized, enslaved, and decimated, the settlers probably responded with “ya bunch of ingrates, ya!” The Wampanoags were, rightfully, skeptical of Bradford and his separatists. A few years earlier, another group of European settlers brought their European diseases to the area, as well as stole their people to sell into slavery. But, the two sides made a deal where the locals taught skills such as farming and fishing techniques in exchange for European weapons to protect them against the Narragansett tribe who weren’t affected by the prior visitors. The Wampanoags and Europeans created an alliance to keep the Narragansett at bay.
So much for peace
The alliance held peacefully for a couple generations. But, in 1662, The Wampanoag chief died. His successor “King Philip” suspected his predecessor was poisoned. This resulted in what is known as King Philip’s war, a bloody conflict resulting in thousands of deaths. And, we know the rest of what happened. Over the next few centuries, indigenous people all across America were all but eradicated. Those who weren’t killed were stripped of their identities and/or proselytized into Christian submission in horrors that only recently came to an end. All this in the name of Christianity. Pope Francis, recently visited Canada to apologize for the Churches roll in these ongoing atrocities.
Even though it was a relationship of convenience, the pact between the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoags was a glimmer of hope in a dark story that still doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. When Columbus “discovered” the “new world”, entire societies found themselves wiped out. What the Plymouth colonists did showed an ability to work together in mutually beneficial ways. But, alas, Escalating an arms race proved indicative of what happens when you live by the sword. Fear breeds fear. And, decency and cooperation are victims to the will of the aggressor. It held true then, as it does today.
Still, there is reason for Thanks.
People glorify the “Pilgrims” (by the way, they didn’t use that term. It’s not like a band: “we’re the Pilgrims! It’s so great to be in… Springfield!“). Maybe that’s because they actually tried to do the right thing. They do embody what people call the American Spirit. Their impetus was religious freedom and an escape from repressive Authoritarianism. While they had disparate religious views, they accepted each others’ points of view. They also believed in cooperating with other people like the indigenous tribes of the area. And, they had respect for the environment and land they occupied.
Of course, by signing the Mayflower compact, they gave authoritarian rule over themselves and the land. But, there were already other colonial outposts in the new world. In fact, they were supposed to go to the mouth of the Hudson river, to New York and the Virginia territory. But, they ended up in Cape Cod. This is why the document was necessary. And, they gave away the rights. But, if they didn’t, King James would have sent some thugs over, and taken it by force anyway. So, there’s that.
If you look at other settlements of the time, it was not all smooth sailing. And, our history has been bleak. But, America is full of Bright moments. It has been, and will continue to be a bright shining example of seeking the betterment of all. As someone recently pointed out, only when it’s dark enough, can you see the stars. So, take that ya bunch of ingrates, ya!
So, happy thanksgiving, Ya bunch of ingrates!
Here are some recipes to celebrate the shining moments to be grateful for. These are based on ingredients that are mostly indigenous to the Plymouth area. The recipe for Apple pie originally came from England. So, that would be one good gift they brought to the New world. Believe it or not, the Pilgrims actually brought some trees with them to plant in the new world. And, Scallops, root vegetables, and, of course, corn were plentiful in the area. While most people think of Turkey for Thanksgiving, the wild Turkeys of Massachusetts are a very different breed from what we know today. They taste more gamey, have less meat, and tend to be tougher to chew. The natives brought deer meat to the first thanksgiving. Even the corn was different. Most of it was milling corn back then, not the sweet table corn on tables today.
We could give you some traditional recipes. But, where’s the fun in that? These settlers made due with what was available. Modern T day celebrants wouldn’t know what to make of the food in 1620 (ya bunch of ingrates, ya!). The pilgrims had to adapt to a whole new world and diet. And, they were thankful for it. So, quit your grumbling and think of what you need to be thankful for. As people of the time would be wont to say in times of celebration:
Huzzah!
Maple Bourbon Glazed Scallops with Celery Root and Yam Puree and Apple Slaw
Ingredients
- 1.5 # Large Scallops, muscle removed
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Thyme
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Parsley
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Ginger
- 1/2 Cup Bourbon or other type of Whiskey
- 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Cup Maple Syrup
- 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter
- For Apple Slaw:
- 1 Large Gala Apple
- 1/4 Cup Shaved Red Onion
- 1/4 Cup Julienne Red Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chives Cut into 1 inch Strips
- 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
- 1/2 Cup Cider Vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 Cup Vegetable oil (Neutral)
- For Puree:
- 1 Lb Peeled Yams or sweet Potatoes
- 1 Lb Peeled Celery Root
- 1/4 Lb Butter, unsalted
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- Oil for Cooking
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix Ginger, Herbs, Maple, bourbon, lemon juice, and a little oil, salt and pepper. Marinate the scallops in this mix for about an hour.
- Peel and Cut Celery Root and Yams into 1 inch Pieces. Boil in salted water, in separate pans until soft (They cook at different rates). Drain both well. Place celery root in food processor. Pulse and mix until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Add in the yams, continue processing until smooth and mixed well. Add in honey, butter, salt, and pepper. Place in a pan to reheat when needed.
- Make the slaw: Julienne the vegetables and apples into 1 inch strips. Mix the cider vinegar, dijon, maple, salt and pepper, drizzle in the oil while whisking until the dressing becomes emulsified. Mix all ingredients together. Set aside until needed.
- Heat a little oil in a saute pan over medium high heat. Remove the scallops from the marinade. Save the marinade. Sear the scallops about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Add the marinade to the pan and cook another minute or two until the scallops are completely cooked. Remove the scallops and continue reducing the marinade until it becomes a glaze.
- Reheat the yam/celery root mix. Place on a plate. Top with the scallops. Brush or drizzle the glaze over the scallops. Then top with the slaw. Serve immediately.
Vegan Maple Johnny Cakes with Cranberry Relish
Ingredients
- 1 cup Corn Meal
- 1 t sugar in the raw
- 1 T Maple Syrup
- 1/2 t kosher or sea salt
- 1 Cup Boiling Water
- 2 T Melted Coconut Oil
- 1/2 cup Almond or coconut Milk
- oil for cooking in the pan
- For the Cranberry Relish
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 each cinnamon stick
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 t vanilla extract
- 1 sprig fresh Thyme (optional)
- To Top
- Vegan sour cream or a creamy topping of your choice
Instructions
- First, Make the Cranberry Relish. This should be done ahead of time. Combine cranberries, sugar, juice, cinnamon, vanilla, and thyme (if using) in a pot. Bring to a boil, then turn back to a simmer. Cook until liquid is absorbed, cranberries are soft, and the sweetness is right. Adjust liquid and sugar if needed.
- Whisk all the ingredients except water and milk in a large mixing bowl and slowly add in the boiling water. Fold in the "milk" to create a pour-able batter.
- Heat oil in a non stick pan or on a griddle. Spoon on the batter in disks about the size of a quarter. Cook on one side about 1 minute and flip. They should have a golden brown hue.
- Serve hot topped with a dolop of cranberry relish and vegan sour cream or creme fraiche.
Grand marnier Apple Pie with Candied Kumquat
Ingredients
- For Crust
- 3.14 Cups Flour
- 1.5 Cups Butter
- 1/2 to 3/4 Cup Ice Cold water
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (optional)
- For Candied Kumquats
- 1/2 Lb Kumquats
- 3 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 oz Grand Marnier
- For Filling
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
- 3 Tbsp Flour
- 1/2 Cup White Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Brandy or cognac
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Ginger
- 3 Lb Peeled, cored, and slice Hearty apples (Granny smiths hold up best)
- To finish:
- Melted butter
- large grain sugar like turbinado
Instructions
- make the dough: Mix flour, salt, and sugar. Cut the butter into pea sized pieces. Keep the butter as cold as possible. Mix together until a loose paste forms. Then add the water a little at a time until it forms a solid dough. You may not need all the water. Dust the dough with flour. Cover it and let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Make the candied Kumquats: Quarter the kumquats. Remove seeds and stems. Put all ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil, then taper back to a simmer. Allow it to cook down until the fruit softens and the liquid becomes a syrup. Let it cool down
- make the filling: Melt the butter in a pan. Stir in the flour to make a light rough. Cook, stirring, for about a minute. Then add in the sugar and ginger. Stir and cook until the sugars melt to a caramel. Stir in the spices. Then add in the apples. Cook and stir until they begin to soften. Add the brandy and flame the alcohol off.
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Roll out the dough into 2 rounds on a floured surface. Put one round into a sprayed 9 or 10 inch pie pan. Place the apple filling in the crust. Spread the kumquats on top of the apple mix. Then, put the other pie crust on top. Crimp the shells together at the edges. Cut away any excess from the over hang. Then brush the top crust with melted butter, and, sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 15 minutes at 425. Then drop the temperature in the oven to 350 and cook for another 35 to 45 minutes.