We all know the story of the first Thanksgiving — or do we? While the holiday is technically based on the 1621 celebration held at Plymouth, Massachusetts, another version of a thanks-based feast dates all the way back to 1565, when Spanish settlers broke bread with the Seloy tribe on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. The National Park Service describes the feast as “the first Thanksgiving,” since it was “was the first community act of religion and thanksgiving in the first permanent European settlement in North America.” That’s right: this historic event took place just an hour north of Port Orange!

Just read on to learn more about this unique event, and how to enjoy the feast’s traditional flavors more than 400 years later — with a little help from your friends at Peach Valley, of course!

Florida’s First Thanksgiving

According to NPS, this special, ceremonial feast took place upon the founding of St. Augustine. Near what is now the Castillo de San Marcos, 800 Spanish settlers convened for a Mass of Thanksgiving led by Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales — and, afterward, invited the local Seloy people to their celebratory dinner.

What’s Biting?

Being this close to the water afforded the first Thanksgiving celebrants a variety of food to choose from — including seafood like mullet, drum, and sea catfish, thanks to the unique, brackish coastal ecosystem in this area. There may also have been turkey, venison, gopher tortoise, beans, and squash, if the local celebrants contributed food to the feast. Otherwise, NPS says, the menu would have likely been a little sparser — comprised mainly of salted pork and beans, sea biscuits, and wine that the settlers had on board.

A Modern Thanksgiving Tradition

Fortunately, you have much more food to choose from when planning your modern Thanksgiving feast! While you might have the big day planned already, why not take a weekend or Black Friday trip to the site of the first Thanksgiving? A stop at Peach Valley on your way up the shore can provide Thanksgiving-inspired protein for the ride — like a Club Croissant with ham and turkey, or Blackened Fish Tacos that dish the spirit of the sea in every bite.

Who knew such a significant piece of Thanksgiving history was a quick drive up the coast? We hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual tour of history! (Of course, should you ever make the real tour, be sure to pick up some Peach Valley fuel along the way.) And here’s to a very happy Thanksgiving, wherever you may be celebrating.