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1776-1800 - New England colonial settlers and regional home cooks
Indian pudding is a New England colonial-era dessert dating back to the late 18th century (1776-1800). Made with cornmeal, molasses, and dairy, it reflects early American adaptations of Native American and English influences, a testament to regional colonial foodways.
Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
3 hours
Total time
3 hours 15 minutes
Servings
6-8 servings
Region
New England
Era introduced
1776-1800
Introduced by
New England colonial settlers and regional home cooks
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Indian pudding is a longstanding dessert tied to New England's colonial period, between 1776 and 1800. It combines cornmeal, molasses, milk, and spices into a slow-cooked pudding, integrating Native American corn usage and English custard traditions. The dessert embodies practical and resourceful cooking of early settlers. It remains associated with New England heritage and holiday celebrations, illustrating how early American foodways fused indigenous and European culinary practices.
Traditional New England recipes and colonial-era cookbooks consulted; specifics vary by family tradition.
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