Patriotic peas

— Photo by Rasbak

“No New England garden was considered a success if it did not furnish a large mess of green peas for Fourth of July dinner. If the season were a late one, the whole family watched the rows of peas anxiously. If the season were early, the peas were left on the vine to be sure enough to go with the fresh salmon and lemon sherbet.’’

— From Secrets of New England cooking (1947), by Ella Shannon Bowles and Dorothy S. Towle

Urban myth — From Wikipedia:

“Abigail Adams is said to have served salmon, peas, and new potatoes for her husband, John Adams, in 1776, on the first Fourth of July, but historians point out that the couple were in different cities during the first Fourth of July celebration.’’