Thanksgiving in The United States
Helen Young
As one of the major national holidays in the United States, Thanksgiving forms an important part of American culture. For many people, this celebration marks the beginning of the festive season and the lead up to Christmas. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and has a history dating back hundreds of years.
The original Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth after a successful crop which would see the pilgrims through the winter of 1621. It was a way of thanking God for providing abundance and safety for the people, in a time when conditions were much harsher than the ones we know today. The first Thanksgiving would have been a sparse affair, based around the vegetables which the Pilgrims has succeeded in growing, along with meat and fish that they caught.
Modern Thanksgiving celebrations are a time when many families in the United States get together, often travelling miles to reunite in the family home. Food forms a central part of the festivities, with dishes which recall those foods which may have been eaten during the first Thanksgiving celebrations.
While most families have their own favourite dishes and secret recipes, the majority of Thanksgiving dinners will include a turkey. In fact, turkey is so strongly connected with Thanksgiving in the American psyche, that some people call the holiday “Turkey Day”. Billions of dollars are spent every Thanksgiving on turkeys, with one of the most popular varieties being the succulent Butterball.
The turkey is usually filled with a stuffing made from breadcrumbs and seasoned with sage and onion, before being roasted in the oven. Some families also cook a separate dish of stuffing, or make stuffing balls, which have a crispier texture than stuffing roasted inside the turkey.
Usually, the juices which are produced during the cooking of the turkey are reserved and made into a thick, rich sauce called gravy. Some people prefer not to roast their turkey, instead boiling or deep-frying it.
While the turkey remains popular as a choice for meat, over recent years, some families have been trying alternative treats. Roast suckling pig, duck and goose are all growing in popularity and make an interesting choice for families who prefer something different.
Alongside the central platter of roast turkey, a number of side dishes complete the Thanksgiving meal. Cranberry sauce is a fruity condiment, which is either made from fresh berries or purchased in a jar or tin. American cranberry sauce has a jelly-like consistency, unlike the jam-style cranberry sauce served in the United Kingdom. Another treat is orange-coloured sweet potatoes, boiled and then mashed until fluffy, then topped with marshmallows. Potatoes may be served mashed, roasted alongside the turkey or gratin style in a creamy sauce.
To complete a Thanksgiving meal, the most popular dish has to be pumpkin pie. These are widely available in bakeries and supermarkets during the season, although some people do still bake them at home. Other favourite desserts include apple pie, ice-cream and baked cheese-cakes.
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Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays