What foods did the pioneers eat for dinner?

The pioneers' diet was simple and often monotonous, as they relied on what they could grow or hunt. Here are some of the foods that pioneers typically ate for dinner:

1. Cornmeal Mush: Cornmeal was a staple grain for many pioneers, and they would often make mush or porridge by boiling it in water and adding salt. Sometimes, they might add sugar or butter to enhance the flavor.

2. Johnnycakes: Johnnycakes were a type of cornbread made from cornmeal, water, salt, and sometimes baking powder. They were usually baked in a cast-iron skillet over the fire.

3. Baked Beans: Beans were a valuable source of protein for pioneers, and they often cooked them in a pot with some salt pork, onions, and molasses.

4. Potatoes: Potatoes were another staple vegetable, and they could be boiled, roasted, or mashed.

5. Squash: Squash was another common vegetable, and it was often prepared by boiling or baking.

6. Dried Fruit: Since fresh fruit was not always available, pioneers would often dry fruit during the summer months to preserve it for later consumption. Apples, peaches, and raisins were popular dried fruits.

7. Wild Game: Pioneers who were hunters would often supplement their diet with wild game, such as deer, rabbit, turkey, and fish.

8. Bread: Wheat bread was not as common as cornmeal, but some pioneers would make bread using yeast or sourdough starter.

9. Cracklings: Cracklings were bits of leftover pork fat that had been rendered down after making lard. Pioneers would collect these cracklings and fry them until crispy, adding them to dishes for extra flavor.

10. Milk and Cheese: If they had a cow, pioneers would have access to fresh milk and could make cheese and other dairy products.

It's important to note that the pioneers' diet would vary depending on the region they settled in and the resources available. Some areas might have had more access to certain foods, while others might have had to rely more on wild game due to the lack of farmland.