What are 4 ingredients Early Colonists used to make the first Pumpkin pies?

It's important to note that pumpkin pie as we know it today, with its distinct spiced flavor, wasn't really a thing in the early colonial period. The colonists' version of "pumpkin pie" was more akin to a savory custard. Here are 4 ingredients they likely used:

1. Pumpkin: This is obviously the star ingredient, but early colonists would have used varieties different from our modern pumpkins, focusing on small, hard-shelled ones that were less watery.

2. Milk or Cream: The colonists would have used fresh milk or cream from their own cows or goats.

3. Eggs: Eggs were essential for binding the ingredients and creating a custard texture.

4. Spices: The colonists were limited in their spice choices. While they might have used a little bit of ginger or nutmeg, sugar was expensive and cinnamon was a luxury. They probably relied more on the natural sweetness of the pumpkin.

They would likely have cooked the pumpkin with water or milk, then strained it to create a smooth puree. This puree would be combined with eggs, milk, and spices to form the custard filling. The filling was then baked in a pie crust made from flour, water, and lard.

So, while we might call it "pumpkin pie," it was a much simpler and less sweet affair than its modern counterpart!