When did pumpkin pie become a Thanksgiving staple?

Answer 1

Francois Pierre la Varenne, a famous French chef and author of a very early cookbook in the 17th century, described a pumpkin pie.
It was probably not until 1796 when Amelia Simmons cookbook "American Cookery" was published. It was the first American cookbook written and published in America, and the first cook book that developed recipes for foods native to America. Her pumpkin puddings were later baked in a crust and similar to present day pumpkin pies because of the references to pumpkins (not pies) by the pilgrims of Plymouth. Pumpkin pie was not really pumpkin pie back then. It was known the first settlers complained about the lack of flavor in pumpkin offered by the natives who simply roasted the squash in the ashes of a fire and ate it. To make the gourd more palatable it is likely the pilgrims cut the top off the pumpkin, added milk (when available) honey and spices. They would then simply roast the whole thing beside the fire and scoop out the pulp.