Eating the Plates:A Pilgrim Book of Food and Manners

Description

Penner’s Pilgrims are heroes| and deservedly so.
She takes the story of their crossing on the Mayflower and establishment of Plymouth Colony| and fleshes it out with all the distasteful| even disgusting| details of their struggle for survival.
Everything that made life difficult in the 1600s is mentioned–the acceptance of insect infestation in one’s hair| clothing| bed| and food; the lack of efficient implements for home construction; the danger of crossing the Atlantic on an open vessel; and the deadly aftermath of disease.
The author makes it clear that without the Indians’ help| these settlers would not have made it through their first year| dependent as they were on European agricultural methods not suited to the New World.

While Penner gives a complete picture of the Pilgrims’ daily life| her prime focus is on food–what the people ate; how they raised| prepared| served| and preserved it.
Her writing style has a light touch that makes this interesting reading| often with a wry slant.
The book concludes with a Pilgrim Menu” for readers to prepare with adult supervision.
The illustrations include pen-and-ink drawings and lithographs that show period artifacts and various food items.