Feast

As we approach Thanksgiving, internet news is ablaze with “how-to’s” in assisting with the feast, traditions of the celebration, regional differences, and of course the idealization of the first Thanksgiving held 393 years ago. This uniquely American celebration over time has crossed the boundaries of varied ethnic settlement, to where today most, but not all, celebrations have some similarities. In that sense it representative of the United States. Rather than being a melting pot, the nation is more like a stew, with a combination of some ingredients that meld together while others retain certain unique characteristics.  As it is with our nation's population, so it is with our Thanksgiving dinner.

Representation of first Thanksgiving

Turkey is often the key fare, followed by a potato of some sort, dressing, cranberries, and (hopefully) pumpkin pie. For some reason, even the green bean casserole dish made with soup and French fried onions on top apparently has become tradition. On the radio today, a survey in all fifty states by Del Monte indicated that 77% of people in Wisconsin liked or loved the green bean casserole, and even Donna, the famed U.W. nutritionist, noted that while it is full of calories go ahead and eat it, as it has come to be identified with Thanksgiving. By the way, Wisconsin is second in approval of this casserole only to Kentucky.

Liked or Loved by 77% of Wisconsinites

But there are differences in not only how some of the food may be cooked, but also in what food is served. Some may cook the turkey differently (deep fried, grilled or roasted; brined or not), sweet verse white potatoes, and of course dressing can be made a variety of ways. I think my spouse sometimes thinks of this dinner as not so much a Thanksgiving feast, but a carb-fest. If it were up to her, many of the carb-heavy dishes would be dropped. To me the heavy carbohydrate foods are traditional to the feast and a thanksgiving dinner without them, would not be a thanksgiving dinner. That would be like taking beer and fireworks away from the fourth of July. I prefer to look at the variety of car foods available, including dinner rolls and sweet breads, as a matter of choice. It is not like you have to try everything.

Dressing

What we think of as traditional probably evolves from our own childhood experiences of the feast. For my family, it has been traditional fare, including green bean casserole. Dressing is one of my favorite Thanksgiving foods, and I would watch my mother make the dressing early Thanksgiving morning, and stuff the turkey, plus make a Nesco Roaster full as well. Along with turkey, it is one of the dishes I like to make for the family gathering on Thanksgiving, although in a salute to somewhat healthier food, I now supplant much of the butter, as my mom would have used, with broth cooked from the turkey gizzards.

Roasted turkey

A recent article on the CNN website, had eleven items which will be argued on Thanksgiving. the eleven did not include politics, religion, or the dealings in Ferguson, rather it was heavy items that weigh on all our minds, such as: when to eat; what to do before hand; what to serve for dessert (as if that should be difficult); is shopping on Thanksgiving day acceptable; and in recognition of our modern era, do you allow cell phones at the table. Of course, they note arguing over food also occurs: what is the best way to cook a turkey, to make dressing and what to add to the mashed potatoes. They author of that article suggested a late dinner of six or seven pm, but our tradition has dinner mid afternoon, following a touch football game, which allows for ease of travel for those going a distance. While the author suggested children be seated at a separate dinner table, we have tried, when space is available, to do one large table, although the children tended to gravitate toward on end. When I was growing up the kids and adults were intermixed. For some reason, I was always by my Dad, with my brother Joe across, and years later it occurred to me--we were the three that probably ate the most. Just keep the food coming to our end of the table.

2012 Hovel family Thanksgiving dinner table (photo by author)
Note that not all chairs have been placed at the table

But, our celebration is more than food. it is for giving thanks, and for interaction. Interaction occurred on the first Thanksgiving between Native Americans and the immigrant settlers--the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were celebrating a successful harvest that year, but of course it was the Indians who had taught them how to fish in the waters of this new land, and cultivate corn. Maybe, if that sharing of the first Thanksgiving had spread to other parts of the continent as settlement occurred a better appreciation would have developed between the European settlers and the indigenous population eliminating some of the strife that would follow.

Map of Ethnicity in the United States

The nation is now primarily occupied mainly be those who are descended from immigrants to this continent. This diversity has given us a symphony of different foods, traditions, and habits, but yet Thanksgiving is a unifying late fall event to recognize that differences are not always bad, that regardless where one is from people are still people. We may have different ideas of how to cook a turkey, or even if to have turkey, but this is really secondary to the fact of a celebration with others. This was recognized on that first Thanksgiving. As much as I may not like the famous green bean casserole, it does not matter to me that it is served, as I do not have to eat it. After all it may mean, even though my spouse may not like it, more dressing and carb laden foods for me. As for Thanksgiving, perhaps Eric Hollis, OSB said it best in his blog: "Thanksgiving...is a hugely important act, and because it is we can't reserve it to just one meal a year." As we gather tomorrow with friends and family let us recall the heritage of the nation, how this one holiday brings different cultures together, show our commonalities, and how we should be thankful each and every day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all images from Google images.