Pumpkins are traditionally eaten during the holiday because it’s thought that the Pilgrims ate them at the first-ever Thanksgiving – they're native to North America and grew readily in New England, alongside waterfowl, venison, berries and squash. However, a sweet pumpkin pie wouldn’t have been consumed as the first arrivals had no proper ovens to bake pastry, sugar and spices had not been imported, and there were no cattle to produce cream.

Historic photos of Thanksgiving dinner over the decades

Pumpkin spice's history and origins