Ian,
Numerous Cornish tin miners came to California to work the gold mines in 49'er country. There's still a thriving Cornish community in Nevada City where our daughter lives, and a couple of local stores make and sell Cornish pasties. Not as good as the ones my aunt in Bodmin used to make, but good enough for me to stock up whenever we visit. Come to think of it, we'll be at rally in Grass Valley, the next town to Nevada City, next week and we'll be visiting the family while we're there.
I'd take faggots and peas before cod, chips & peas. You really should try the seaweed (aka laverbred); It's well known for putting lead in the pencil.