Thanksgiving Traditions

What is your Thanksgiving tradition for dinner? Almost evryone does turkey...probably mashed potatoes then a variety of vegetables, cranberry sauce and pies. But did you know that the firs Thanksgiving did not have a turkey? This was a term that referred to all fowl. Our forefahters most likely dined on duck and venison (deer), as well as fish and seafood such as lobster and clams. They did have corn, pumpkin, squash, onions, cabbage, berries, plums, watercress, dried fruit, boiled pumpkin and herbs. However - history tells us that the supply of flour had been long diminished, so there was no bread or pastries of any kind but they produced a type of fried bread from their corn crop which the American Indian showed the pilgrims how to grow and cook.

Many of us do pumpkin pie, reflecting the original traditions. And corn whether as a side or in a cornbread stuffing is common too. Cranberries were grown in the native American lands, but they did not make cranberry sauce until later years. Potatoes were thought to be poisonous by the settlers, thought the Indians ate them without fear.

Today we have deep fried turkey, tofurkey, and turducken. We eat creamed onions, green beans, squash, cranberry sauce in all shapes and flavors. Stuffing (in the bird) or dressing(baked separately) can be white, wheat, corn, or mixed breads. I love using challah. Add sausage, oysters, wild rice, dried fruits, onions, fennel, carrots, celery, and a host of other flavors. Gravy - spicy, traditional, sherry or wine based, cider based, creamy or thin - it all tastes great over mashed potatoes.

So what are your Thanksgiving favorites? I have yet to find my very favorite meal...but there will always be turkey, taters and cranberries on my plate! Happy thanksgiving everyone.