Celebrate America’s 250th with foods from 1776

Foods designed to feed families and neighbors during troubling times were on the menu during the American Revolution in our country in 1776. Consider remembering these times by serving some of these foods during your Heritage Days 2026 celebrations, Wednesday, June 10 through Sunday, June 14, Flag Day.

Access to modern ingredients was unheard of in 1776. 250 years ago, meals were influenced by English, Dutch and Native American traditions. These were local, seasonal and practical, and often served family-style around wooden tables.

Common foods were often prepared over hearths or in cast-iron pots including roasted meats like pork, duck or venison. Vegetables were stewed and included squash, carrots and beans. Corn on the cob was seasonal and usually boiled or fire-roasted.

Johnnycakes, type of cornmeal flatbread, were served with meals, and favorite desserts included molasses cookies and apple-based selections like pandowdy. Beverages included hard cider or small beer, a mild, low-alcohol drink.

One of the oldest known colonial recipes is for Johnnycakes, and dates back to the 1600’s. The ingredients include 1 cup of cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 cup boiling water, 1/4 cup milk and butter or oil for frying. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, stir boiling water into the mix until thickened and add milk. Heat the butter or oil in a skillet and spoon batter into rounds, cooking two to three minutes per side. Serve hot with butter, maple syrup or beside grilled meats.

Apple Pandowdy included six apples, peeled and sliced; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 2 tablespoons molasses; 1 tablespoon butter; pie crust or biscuit dough. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine apples, brown sugar, spices and molasses in a bowl. Spread mixture into a greased baking dish and dot with butter. Cover with dough and bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden. Halfway through baking, slice into the crust (“dowdy” it) to let the juices soak in.

Try making Johnnycakes and Apple Pandowdy during your Heritage Days celebrations, remembering our ancestors and their sacrifices toward a free life in America.