As we gear up for Thanksgiving, we revisit an all-American food favorite. We discuss one of America’s most divisive and storied holiday desserts: pumpkin pie. We discuss Indigenous farming practices, the myth of the first Thanksgiving, and how New England used tourism to elevate the story of Plymouth Rock. Finally, we discuss the connection between the Civil War and pumpkin pie’s firm place on Thanksgiving tables across the country.
Tag: american
Come On, Party Peeple
This week, we’ve got another celebratory, sugary, filler of an episode, but it’s not all fluff. We’re investigating the shadowy world of corporate espionage in candy-making, discussing the life and legacy of a prodigious candy man, and clarifying, once and for all, that the Pennsylvania Dutch do not speak Dutch. Finally, we debate whether or not peeps are actually good.
If you want to know more about the rich, vibrant history of Peeps, check out Carl Anthony Online’s article about the Black Peep Scandal: https://carlanthonyonline.com/2013/03/30/secret-black-sheep-peep-easter-candy-mystery-scandal-father-of-the-jellybean/
Of Pecans and Capitalism
This week, we have a holiday episode about one of the most American pies. We discuss the etymology of pecans, the relationship between treacle tarts and sugar pies, and how a corn syrup company popularized pecan pie. Finally, we uncover the dark underbelly of the pumpkin pie conspiracy.