Turkeys are native to the Americas? Turkeys were exported to Europe about 1523. Not knowing its Mexican name, uexolotl, the English called it the "turkie-bird." In France, it was named the coq d'Inde, and later, dinde or dindon. In Italy, turkey was called galle d'India and in Germany, indianische Henn. [2: 8]

Benjamin Franklin urged the adoption of the turkey as the national symbol? Over his objections, the bald eagle was chosen instead. [2: 9]

Amelia Simmons wrote the first cook book in America and published it in 1796? It is the first book that developed recipes for foods native to America. Her pumpkin puddings were baked in a crust and similar to present day pumpkin pies. Her stuffed turkey recipe has changed very little in over 200 years: To stuff a turkey --- Grate a wheat loaf, one quarter of a pound butter, one quarter of a pound salt pork, finely chopped, two eggs, a little sweet marjoram, summer savory, parsley and sage, pepper and salt (if the pork be not sufficient) fill the bird and sew up. [2: 10]

Ketchup, or catsup, originated in China in 1690 as a pickled fish sauce called ke-tsiap? English sailors brought the sauce back to England in the early 1700s, where they had to find substitutes for the spices that were not available in England at the time. Walnut and mushroom catsups were created first. These sauces, including later ones that used tomatoes, were made without sugar. These had a spicy and tart flavor, somewhat like Worcestershire sauce. Sugar appears in tomato catsup recipes only after the Civil War. Check the label on your ketchup bottle and see what's inside! [2: 11]

Pineapples often appear in colonial wood carvings or paintings? Pineapples did not grow in New England. American sailors returning home brought them from the tropics. A pineapple placed on the doorstep meant that your loved one had returned safely. In this way, pineapples became associated with hospitality.
[2: 12]

The first oranges imported to Florida were small and sour? Seminole Indians sliced the tops off, made a hole, and filled them with honey for a tasty treat. Ponce de Léon could have brought oranges as early as 1513, for the Spanish explorers were instructed to carry citrus seeds with them and plant them wherever they went, so that citrus would be available as a cure for disease (later recognized as scurvy). Bitter oranges were first planted in Florida by de Soto in 1539, sweet oranges arrived later. [2: 13]

During the 1630's the English colonists imported bees from Europe? The Indians called them "English flies," and the bees multiplied rapidly. A description of New York in 1670 claimed; "You shall scarce see a house, but the South side is begirt with Hives of Bees." [2: 14]

In England the word "biscuit" means cookie? The American English word "cookie," comes from the Dutch word "koekje," not from the English word "biscuit." An American-style "biscuit" is a type of round bread, similar to a muffin. [2: 15]