Thanksgiving Special!
Alexa, play "Tradition" from Fiddler On The Roof
To preface: as much as I love thanksgiving, the insurmountable amount of damage and lack of compassion our country has caused for Native Americans still affects us today. I love celebrating a holiday set up around family and personal traditions, it’s also important to acknowledge and remember the uglier sides to this holiday. Celebrating with family and friends the importance of togetherness, love, and a heavily inspired food holiday makes this time of year so special but doesn’t negate the trauma of history.
A part of adulthood is discussing what you’re specifically bringing to Thanksgiving.
For the last few years, my family has hosted Thanksgiving for the whole family. A lot of people float from house to house, indulging in the festivities all around, but for the last five to six years, we’ve been the host! What I love about Thanksgiving is that it’s a group effort! Not one person is responsible for the whole meal, we all bring something.
Since moving away for college, I’ve now become included in being responsible for bringing something to the table. This is the fourth year running I’ve brought a Pecan Pie, Molly Baz’s Pumpkin Bread (it is so so good), and BA’s “Simple is Best” Stuffing. I haven’t been a big fan of Bon Appetit since their dumpster fire downfall of 2020 (read it here, it needed to happen my friends), but this is the best stuffing I have EVER had. This recipe made with HEB’s Rosemary Sourdough? Holy cow.
I love the mini traditions that take place over the week. The excitement of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade….forgetting every year what channel it’s on…and what time it starts. The last minute trips to HEB, then the last last minute trips to Walmart when you can’t find it at HEB. The minicomments of Black Friday and the craziness of capitalism. The mistranslation of “he said, she said” of bringing every dish, realizing something’s missing, (this year it was cranberry sauce, but my sister and I made some last night so we’re set). An accident of some kind always happens.
This year, it was during my prep, I almost chopped my finger off (a bit dramatic, but not entirely wrong). Embarassingly enough, I had a mini accident with my immersion blender while making the pumpkin loaf and gave my pointer finger some battle scars. Thanksgiving is no joke.
But! The loaf turned out nice! Also, Baz’s recipe is bigger than what my pan could fit, so my roommates and I had a mini taste test (see picture above for the baby cake). EVERY BAKING RECIPE SHOULD HAVE THIS.
Thanksgiving now reminds me so much of my Siti. This was the last holiday we spent together. Some of my last memories of her are her raving over the pecan pie (which is why I make it every year, there’s too much emotional attachment now). Not to mention the themes of togetherness, joy, and gratitude that follow. It’s bittersweet for sure.
On a lighter note…
Green bean casserole was a dish created by Cambells specifically to use their cream of mushroom soup. Also, one dish you’ll never see at our house.
Happy eating!
With love,
Cara