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It's National Indian Pudding Day

From time to time I enjoy looking at the list of National Food Days. I note that today is National Indian Pudding Day. I'm not sure that folks outside of New England eat Indian Pudding, but it was a favorite while I was growing up. I spent three summers in college as a waitress at the Maple Hill Restaurant in Hartford and Indian Pudding was a standard on the menu. Its main ingredients are corn meal and molasses, with lots of spices. It was traditionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and was the perfect winter dessert. Did anyone outside of New England eat Indian Pudding?

Looking around Pinterest I found this variation made with pumpkin and as a fan of all things pumpkin, I have to post this.

Source: kellybakes.com via Tami on Pinterest

I know this looks out of season, but I can happily eat pumpkin -- and do! -- all through the year. 

I've been thinking about the phrase Indian Pudding and read several notes about the use of the term "Indian." I think I may rename this delicious dessert "Colonial Pudding." 

I had a fine time at the Metropolitan Museum last night. There are lots of visitors to New York this weekend and the Museum was as crowded as I have ever seen it. We did enjoy a nice visit to the Classic European Paintings, which was less crowded, and I loved seeing the Rembrandt and El Greco paintings. After our museum visit Mary and I found a new Thai restaurant and had some of the best sauteed veggies ever. Wish you all could have joined us!

I'm settling in for a quiet evening at home which will include working on the NY Times crossword and the final episode of "Downton Abbey. I'm going to combine this with a cup of tea and the happy knowledge that it's a long weekend. Big, big sigh of contentment! Hope you, too, have... 

An evening of contentment! 

15 comments

Keetha Broyles said...


We ate corn meal mush, does that count?

Mevely317 said...

I'd never heard of Indian Pudding. That recipe (the original) sounds yummy ... albeit, labor intensive!
Definitely something I'd order when/if I'm in New England again.

Denise said...

I had the most wonderful Indian Pudding at the Museum of the American Indian in D.C. several years ago. First time I had ever tried it. I think it's time I made some again.

Nellie said...

I once thought I might make some Indian Pudding at one point, but never have, and we've never eaten it. You make it sound like such a good dessert!

I'm quite impressed that you are able to work the NYTimes crossword. I have always been at a loss on that one, but do the other simpler selection in our paper.

Terra said...

Your weekend of art and good food sounds enjoyable, and I had not heard of Indian Pudding til you mentioned it here.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Your day at the Met sounds wonderful! I grew up in Mass. so I have had Indian Pudding before, but never with pumpkin and this recipe sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a nice President's Day. xoxo

Pondside said...

Now that's a dessert I've never heard of. I'm from Nova Scotia and we love corn meal and we love molasses, but the only way I've ever combined the two is by cooking a Johnnie Cake (corn meal cake - not at all sweet, but something to eat with baked beans) and spreading it with butter and molasses. Yummy!

Grammy Staffy said...

I just left you a comment but it vanished when I clicked publish. I wonder why that happens from time to time??? I've not heard of Indian pudding but we love cornbread with butter and honey or maple syrup so I bet we would like it. I'll have to try some if I ever get to New England again. Thanks for stopping by my blog and saying hello. Have a great week and enjoy your day off tomorrow.
Hugs, Lura

The Cranky said...

We didn't have Indian pudding, we ate a savoury concoction called corn pudding instead.

Glad you have had a good weekend; ours has been quietly content.

Melinda said...

Don't you just love long weekends?

Enjoy!

Nancy said...

Have never heard of this pudding Carol but it does look tasty.

Enjoy your Monday! :)

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

That finale of Downton Abby certainly left us hanging. They did say that there will be a Season 4. No, I never had Indian pudding. Food holidays are fun.

Theresa said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! Big hugs from Georgia!

Unknown said...

I could eat that right now!!!!!! Yummy.

Maggid said...

this probably seems silly - BUT, yesterday - at the grocery store - there was the opportunity to sample some food prepared by a local chef. It was set up so the final product could be assembled right in front of us . . There was some shrimp thing the presenter was proud to demonstrate - I pass on shrimp - BUT, the shrimp stuff was designed to top a serving of polenta. I enjoy listening to Lynn Rosetta Caspar on NPR and she mentions polenta with enthusiasm. i was the only person standing in front of the chef - and he did not mind explaining how to prepare - and what little he knew - then, i got a taste - Oooh-eee! it was simple, rich, creamy (with no dairy product involved . . how does that happen?) and worth every rave I've heard by my favorite NPR Food Journalist. I think you know a lot about good food - so, it may seem funny i hadn't been properly introduced to this staple . . BUT - it sure was memorable. Happy Happy Week to You! -g-