C. T. Suddeth

Wampanoag Thanksgiving!

The Wampanoag met the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. The Wampanoag are still around!

Here are a few Wopanaak (Wampanoag) words for Thanksgiving:

Nahenan – turkey

Pôhpukun – pumpkin

Wiwáhcum – corn

Wuyôkuhpwu – dine

Pun – potato

Masqusitash – beans

Pôcumunsh – cranberries 

Kutâputush – thank you

Nasaump, cornmeal porridge—Ancient Wampanoag recipe:  1 cup stone ground flint cornmeal, ⅓ cup small strawberries, ⅓ cup blueberries, 2 TBS crushed black walnuts, 2 TBS crushed hazelnuts, 2 TBS crushed pumpkin seeds, optional maple syrup. Boil in water for 15 minutes. Serve. If allowed to cool and harden, it can be fried as cakes.

Sobaheg—Wampanoag for stew: turkey or venison, mixed beans, hominy, dried onions, cubed winter squash/pumpkin, green beans, pounded sunflower seeds or nuts, green beans, optional clam juice and Jerusalem artichokes.

Puttuckqunnege—Wampanoag boiled bread: Moisten with very hot water and form into patties. Drop into boiling water. Patties rise to the top when cooked. Sweeten with maple syrup. half cup each:  cornmeal, corn flour, dried berries (cranberries, blueberries, currants), crushed nuts/seeds (walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds)