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The Melting Pot
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1776-1800 - Colonial American home cooks and Revolutionary War military households.
Pease porridge is a thick, savory dish made from dried peas, commonly eaten in late 18th-century America. It was a nourishing, economical staple during the Revolutionary period, reflecting colonial cooking traditions and available ingredients.
Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
60 minutes
Total time
1 hour 15 minutes
Servings
6 servings
Region
United States
Era introduced
1776-1800
Introduced by
Colonial American home cooks and Revolutionary War military households.
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Pease porridge was an enduring part of colonial and Revolutionary War-era diets in America, valued for its simplicity and sustenance. Often made from dried split peas simmered slowly with herbs, salt pork or ham, it provided reliable nourishment for families and soldiers alike. The recipe connects modern cooks to early American foodways where frugality and heartiness guided the kitchen.
Traditional recipe based on 18th-century American colonial and military cooking records; regional variations existed.
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