Thanksgiving, Culpeper, 2021 (Photo by CL)
Wild Turkeys Survive Thanksgiving, Rappahannock County, Va.
Thanksgiving! A time for families to gather around the dining room table with a scattering of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
When I was growing up, both grandparents lived in the same town, so we often had two Thanksgiving meals. We children were sent outside to play while everyone else was coaxed into second helpings and lengthy discussions. On the following day, we headed for nearby Seven Corners Mall to begin Christmas shopping.
We moved from Virginia to Florida. Family members gradually disappeared. That void has been filled by friends.
When the Swedish friends came, Thanksgiving took on an international flavor. Those interminable dinners were replaced by a healthy meal and a walks around Lake Alice on the UF campus followed by a new Disney classic movie for kids. More recently, my sister has started a tradition of a potluck picnic and paddle at one of the North Florida springs.
But here’s the thing about Thanksgiving. It's not just an opportunity to give thanks and share a meal with family and friends. It's that we all have an opinion about what should be on the menu.
This week I queried some friends, asking, “What is the main dish you want at a Thanksgiving meal, and you would be disappointed if it is not served?
A research entomologist & beekeeper writes, “H'mm, good question. I like it all but an excellent gravy from scratch ranks pretty high! I've just made cranberry sauce with orange liqueur. I used to make the whole dinner including gravy, stuffing, etc . but haven't for some years. I'll be part of the leftover prevention team.”
A friend who retired from the state department writes, "What a great question! For me, it’s the nostalgia of the menu that recalls past Thanksgiving gatherings. We had a fairly constant menu for many years - corn pudding is a must for me. [and my husband] says he likes dressing best.”
A retired nurse and math professor both opt for turkey and cranberry dressing
One of my major professors, now a retired university professor, votes for dressing and gravy
A former neighbor and retired university department head “, exclaims, "Mashed potatoes! I love mashed potatoes.”
Her two adult sons (one in history and the other in IT) like pumpkin pie and dressing. Given she has hosted Thanksgiving dinners, she added, “I've never had to take anything. Thanksgiving dinner has always been right here. I get to cook it all! :).”
A documentary film maker and her husband, an authority on silent films – she loves yams, and he looks forward to a farm raised turkey.
A former student in technical communications and her IT (software and hardware) husband writes, “One thing that I have to have, even if I go visit someone else's house I will make it the next day, is stuffing. But it's my grandma and mom's stuffing. So it has the bread cubes, celery, potatoes, onion, and diced ham. The ham is cooked up with Puerto Rican sofrito. So savory and good. Then for breakfast the next day, I'll cook it up with a fried egg on top!” As for her husband, she writes, “[He] has been married to me for too long and had the same answer. He hasn't gone without it for over 20 years!”
A former journalist turned project manager for proposals prefers the “triumvirate” of turkey, dressing and gravy. Her Finnish husband, however, loves a green bean casserole made with mushroom soup and topped with fried onion rings.
My sister, a Florida springs artist, loves cheese grits and fried apples. “I actually love all the vegetables, like corn pudding! Cornbread would be awesome!”
My daughter, who lives abroad, says she misses macaroni and cheese, turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
As for me, I love salsify (oyster plant), chestnut stuffing, cheese grits and turkey.
What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Do you debate its historical significance? Or do you focus on a time to be with family and friends? And what are your favorite foods that you want to see on the menu?
Have a safe, healthy and happy holiday!
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