Sometimes when we’re planning the Thanksgiving menu, someone will say, “But of course, it’s not about the food.” It’s about being together. Yes, yes, naturally. But I think the stories of the food tell us so much about the traditions and the people we love.
So, I thought I’d capture a few of those while chewing on this year’s Thanksgiving, which was full of family, food, fun, and even a little football (though of course, I’m there for the band).
~1~
We are always so focused on the meal itself that we don’t plan on appetizers. But I can’t resist the chance to make a Thanksgiving-themed tray of some sort. I assembled a turkey-shaped veggie tray this year and set it out while we waited for the sides to be ready for dinner.
I loved how my nieces enjoyed the veggies before dinner. Our littlest niece, who is 4, had several carrots. She’s the bunny fan in the bunch. As she told her Uncle John, “I like all animals, but my favorite animal is rabbits.”
~2~
My grandmother had a friend named Isabel, who was a regular Thanksgiving guest at our home growing up. She would arrive for dinner carrying her sweet potato and apple casserole, which I remember being delicious, warm, and decadent. When she couldn’t make it herself any longer but was still a guest, my mother acquired the recipe from Isabel and prepared it so we could all enjoy it.
A few weeks ago, my mother asked me whether I would be willing to make Isabel’s sweet potato dish for Thanksgiving. I agreed right away.
Saying yes was easy. Then my mother couldn’t find the recipe—and neither could I. My father sent an alternate option, and then I fell down the recipe-searching rabbit hole, trying to remember the flavors of a dish that I haven’t eaten in decades. I finally found one that I thought looked similar.
It was reminiscent, but it wasn’t as sweet or syrupy as Isabel’s was. But it was delicious. And we talked about Isabel and remembered her. She was brilliant, witty, lived to be almost 100, and she was always such a delight at dinner.
I have a feeling I’ll be making the casserole again.
I used this apple and sweet potato recipe, but I omitted the nuts, didn’t rinse the canned sweet potatoes, cut back on the brown sugar, and cooked it about 5-10 minutes longer until it was bubbly and hot. I think I might cut the apples thinner next time and use more of them.
~3~
What was on your Thanksgiving table? Ours was crammed with food options.
My father’s turkey was a masterpiece, moist and flavorful as always.
We had stuffing, peas, my mother’s carrots and onion casserole, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, jellied and whole berry cranberry sauce, rutabaga, and probably some other delectable dishes I am forgetting.
There was even a bowl of noodles for the children who don’t care for potatoes—or really many of the other options.
Everyone had plenty to eat.
~4~
Before I headed to the Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving morning, I loaded our crockpot with fresh sauerkraut and Ostrowski’s kielbasa to let that cook all day. I include a little caraway seed and half of an apple chopped up, along with a little beer. You might be able to have Thanksgiving without sauerkraut, but I’d rather not take a chance.
You can see the influence of my mother’s New England roots in our feast, with the rutabaga and the carrot-and-onion she makes, but the sauerkraut is thanks to Baltimore’s German roots.
~5~
The highlight of the meal for me is always my mother’s pumpkin pie.
I really do need to get the recipe from her, especially since we woke up on Black Friday without leftover pumpkin pie in the house.
Somehow I found other things for breakfast, but we all know you’re supposed to have pie.
It’s time for me to make some of my own.
~6~
My mother sent home leftover mashed potatoes and gravy for our younger son, who is such a fan.
Those definitely won’t last the day.
In fact, they might already be gone.
Why do the mashed potatoes and gravy taste especially good at Thanksgiving?
~7~
One of our neighbors stopped by on Thanksgiving Eve to give us a loaf of homemade pumpkin bread.
She had made it from real pumpkins, and knowing that only adds to the enjoyment and probably the flavor too.
We have the best neighbors.
I am starting to feel the tug to do some holiday baking this year so I can deliver something to her.
~Thankful~
My sister Treasa and her husband George and their children were with us for dinner, too. My mother had set the table with the College of the Holy Cross china that her uncle gave to her mother, and she had made sure everyone had a crystal glass.
There is something about watching a 4-year-old drink milk out of a crystal goblet that sweetens the whole evening. I loved listening to our 6-year-old nephews laughing as they joked around with their Uncle John.
I cherish the Thanksgivings we have celebrated simply as a family of four, but when the pandemic and illness don’t interfere I love being able to be with family for some new Thanksgiving memories.
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