Thanksgiving

Coloured leaves are falling and we wake up often to glittering white frost on the ground.  Clear signs that American Thanksgiving has come around again.

In my nearly thirty years in London, I’ve learned that British people are quite happy to join in for this festival celebration.  The plentiful table laden with roast turkey and all the traditional trimmings has become more and more popular in our house, meaning we need two tables to accommodate our guests accepting invitations.

Many years ago, in 1621, the Pilgrims put down their smoking muskets, and the native Americans, their bow and arrows, and sat down to banquet on wild turkey, roasted corn, cranberry sauce, splendid autumn vegetables, and I hope, pumpkin pie.  The feast lasted three days.  We Americans continue to celebrate this great day every year, on the fourth Thursday in November.  In doing so, we cook up a storm, and invite friends of all nationalities and religions to come and indulge with us.  I’m so happy, that again, my adult twins, have many friends who now self-book in advance.  This takes the spirit of thankful celebration to its height.  It also means that there are more hands in the kitchen to share and enjoy the preparation.

Our menu this year will include:

Sparkling Wine/Beer      Pimento stuffed Green Olives

Jellied Cranberry and Apple Salad

Roasted Turkey with Mid-Western Stuffing and Gravy

Stuffed Zucchini with Cheese
Butternut squash with Pecans and Blue Cheese

Sweet Potato Mash

Steamed Green Beans in Lemon Vinaigrette

Tennessee Cornbread

Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream
Chocolate Pecan Pie

You don’t have to be American to savour and enjoy these foods!  Bon Appetit!