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Everyone knows Plymouth, Massachusetts is the birthplace of the Thanksgiving feast. America’s Hometown goes all out for the holiday, with its Thanksgiving parade, events, and more. But if your Thanksgiving plans involve being the holiday host, there are ways to bring the celebration to your table. Just add some Plymouth dishes to your holiday feast with local ingredients, treats, and recipes for that real “America’s hometown” feeling.

Pre-Dinner Scones

Picture this: the turkey is in the oven, but it still needs time to cook and the side dishes have only just gotten started. Yet guests have arrived early and are already hungry. Thankfully, you’ve picked up some Take & Bake Scones from Shelly’s Tea Rooms. These scones are made with the tea room’s signature recipe but are frozen so you can bake them yourself. Just pop them in the oven and serve with tea and cranberry jam as a lovely pre-dinner treat.

Authentic Thanksgiving Recipes

The first Thanksgiving was in 1621, and it’s been a long-held American tradition since. So if you’re looking for a way to make your Thanksgiving feast memorable, why not go back to its roots with authentic Thanksgiving recipes from Plymouth? The Plimoth Patuxet Museum has kept track of some great historical dishes from both the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims that you can add to your spread.

Instead of traditional squash, have a bowl of stewed pompion for people to try. “Pompion” was another word for pumpkin so you’ll have a delicious pumpkin dish to complement your fall feast. Honor the indigenous people at your table with dishes like nasump and turkey sobaheg. Variations of these dishes are still made by the Wampanoag today. This means you’ll feel like you’re sharing a meal with them in spirit.

Cranberry Dishes

Is it really Thanksgiving without cranberries? To some it is, but for others, cranberries are a staple for your Thanksgiving feast. There are lots of ways to add them to your table, from traditional recipes to cranberry goods you can get from local stores. Pick up some cranberry jams, wine, chocolate-covered cranberries, and more to creatively incorporate Massachusetts’ state berry.

Local Sweets

Naturally, no meal is complete without dessert, so why not get some sweets from the local shops and bakeries? Order some custom cupcakes from Cupcake Charlie’s, which is an award-winning bakery known for innovative and delicious flavors. If you’re a bit too far away to pick up cupcakes on Thanksgiving day, consider ordering whoopie pies or cupcake jars, which ship nationwide. This way you’ll still have a delightful desert from Plymouth for Thanksgiving.

Candy is also an option. It can be either an extra bit of sweetness for the table or a treat to send your guests home with. Nantasket Sweets By Swedes has all kinds of Swedish candies that are made with natural ingredients like fruit juices and spices, so you can let the kids (and adults) indulge without feeling guilty. 

Your Thanksgiving feast can be made so much more special and memorable with the goods and traditions of Plymouth. Bring America’s Hometown to your table this year and give thanks.