Some of us have been venturing out into feats of culinary change for traditional holiday dinners for years. Yet, as more and more family members travel far away and tables are filled with friends who can’t travel to their own families. It has become a tradition to fuse the tastes of our family reflecting and friends. The majority meat choices remain traditional, with turkey, duck, and wild birds and game as well, while the side dishes for the season may have reflected majority rule in meal making. The local get-togethers usually were feasts with lots of family and friends partaking continue to go traditional for the area, while the city folks who grew up here, may change it up a bit. Add a bit of spice or exotic fruits and veggies to the mix.
Remembering back to the Thanksgiving tables of our childhood, most of us have a list of things that must be provided to have it feel like our common memories of experiencing this holiday. A huge roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams and cranberry sauce. Each menu item is prepared the way each particular family has always prepared it. One brand of stuffing, “Pepperidge Farm,” became the go-to for many families, as did jellied cranberry that came in a can. The stuffing ingredients may have varied in every household, with different twists on the recipe. Homemade bread continued to be made in quite a few households, with onions and mushrooms added. The way our families prepared all of the requisite items on this seasonal menu remained all important. One particular year in my own family, a non-family member brought her gourmet version, which she told us later was oyster stuffing. Her second dish was a different kind of gravy, which was not made from the turkey broth but mushroom and vegetable broth.
Both dishes were not popular with all the children around the table and so was relegated to our own family leftovers.
Some family members are known for ensuring that holiday get-togethers with family as the only times to really make lasting memories for all ages in attendance. “Let’s make a memory” can be all kinds of seasonal outdoor or indoor activities. As elder members of the family pass away, it isn’t until that person is missing from an annual party that the credit for nurturing these close family ties is given where it is due and the newest generation can participate when it is continued.
Happy Thanksgiving!
By Dolly Viscardi