This year Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 27th. The festive celebration was declared a national holiday by President Lincoln. The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts by the Plymouth Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. The early celebrations lasted for days and consisted of people from different areas and included guests among the Wampanoag Indians.
Turkey, being a Native of North America was decidedly the bird prepared for the great holiday feast. It is reported that turkeys get very nervous around the holiday season. The original cornucopia was made from a curved goat’s horn stuffed with various fruits and corn maze. Included in the celebration was Squash used widely for its traditional value and its particular good taste during the autumn season.
Pumpkin pie is thought to have evolved from settlers who filled their hollowed pumpkins with milk and spices to create delicate gravy. Pumpkin pulp was later appreciated for its rich taste and when mixed with sugar and milk made a tasty seasonal dessert.
When planning your Thanksgiving feast it is always a safe bet to serve the traditional foods so that all of your guests know what to expect. Some wonderful side dishes to complement your dinner can be creamed spinach or asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Other sides to consider are banana walnut bread or corn muffins.
Similar holidays are celebrated around the world. It has been a custom throughout the ages to give thanks to the Creator for the provision of food and comfort that’s been bestowed upon us. The holidays are also a time to come together and celebrate family. The season is an opportunity for hope. Remember that you don’t have to celebrate in the traditional fashion or have a lot of people in your life to feel the joy around you. I knew a man that spent every holiday alone for ten years and reported that his holidays were as rich and meaningful as anyone else’s. He used to remark about appreciating the world around him and reminding himself that as long as he was alive, he was a part of everything. He believed that no one is truly alone. Those are some wise words to live by.
Written by Delightful Biteful