Pasty History

The history of the pasty in the United States, began when Cornish immigrants came to work in the mines of the US… they brought the pasty with them. The Upper Peninsula is rich in iron ore used to make the early railroad rails and later in cars. The first Ford Plant was built in Kingsford/Iron Mountain, MI, in order to be close to the wood supply used in the original cars. This is The Pasty Oven’s owner’s hometown. The miners took these Cornish meat pies into the mines to carry a hearty hot meal they could eat holding the pasty by the crust rather than using plates and utensils. The picture depicts a miner heating the pasty on his shovel. Pasties have remained in the region as a tradition and part of the heritage that makes this mining/lumber country so unique.

For mining tours check Iron Mountain Iron Mine by going to the website www.ironmountainironmine.com for schedules and more history.

Pasties are now being spread throughout the Upper Midwest as a modern precooked meat and potatoes pie. The pasties are usually found in the local “Ma and Pa” shops providing a variety a “special touches” to the pasty tradition. The Pasty Oven pasty has expanded distribution to 11 states where now pastys can be a consistent, wholesome, large, 30% meat, convenient, delicious, precooked meal. Find them in your grocery store in the meat/frozen department. Indeed food from the past fitting perfectly in our fast paced future, only, The Pasty Oven pasty is food your mom would make. Pasty pronounced food from the “PAST -ee”. Ask for them at your local grocery store.