Foods the Dutch Brought to America

Dutch settlers in the early 1600s introduced several crops that became staples in American agriculture and cuisine:

• Apples: Planted orchards in New York and New England; U.S. is now the world's #2 apple producer.
• Peaches: Orchards in New Jersey and Delaware; U.S. ranks #3 in peach production.
• Grapes: Vineyards in New York and Pennsylvania; launched colonial wine industry; U.S. is now #4 in wine production.
• Cabbage: First to bring seeds; became a colonial staple (coleslaw, sauerkraut, stir-fries).
• Carrots: Introduced seeds; widely grown in colonial gardens; now ubiquitous in salads, soups, stews.