a vintage Thanksgiving

[Marzena]

I am starting this thread to ask for your suggestions about a Thanksgiving dinner I would like to have at my house. Thanksgiving is not really known in Poland, but the idea of expressing thanks for the good things in life appeals a lot. I would like to do a small dinner, for 6 to 8 people. I have looked a lot into the internet, but I find it very confusing , to be honest. What, in your opinion, should be THE things on the table (apart from the turkey?) .As to vintage - perhaps what did your grandparents used to have? Many thanks!

 

[GreatWhiteHunter]

In the USA it varies somewhat depending on the region and family traditions, but stuffing, cranberries and sweet potatoes are very common. There is often other veggies. Some families serve ham or game too. Desert is pumpkin, apple and/or pecan pie.

 

[Gingerella72]

Mashed potatoes and gravy. Cranberry sauce or jelly. Green bean casserole (although some see this more as a Christmas item than Thanksgiving). Pumpkin pie is more traditionally associated with Thanksgiving than any other pie, but of course others work too.

 

[Atomic Age]

You can't have Thanksgiving with out green bean casserole. My own family traditions include cranberry relish (a combination of cranberrys and oranges(peel and all) put through a coarse grinder and a little sugar added). Some good buttery biscuits or rolls. We generally prefer crescent rolls. Stuffing made with the turkey giblets. And I'm sorry I don't care what anyone says, it MUST be cooked in the bird! Mashed potatoes and gravy made from the turkey drippings. Sweet potato casserole.

For desert we normally have both pumpkin and apple pie.

BTW here is the original Campbells recipe for green bean casserole.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Campbells-Green-Bean-Casserole/

And here is a good sweet potato casserole recipe.

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/2135/Sweet-Potatoes-with-Marshmallo76078.shtml

Doug

 

[LizzieMaine]

All of the above, plus sweet mixed pickles. We have squash pie here, which may be mostly a New England thing -- and the squash must always be "One Pie" brand, from a can.

I agree with the stuffing-in-the-bird. And none of these novelty cooking methods for the turkey for a true traditional meal -- no deep frying, brining, or any of that stuff. Roast it in the oven like God and the Pilgrims intended.

 

[Tomasso]

You can't have Thanksgiving with out green bean casserole.

My family have never served green beans on Thanksgiving . Our green is Brussels sprouts.

 

[BigFitz]

Deviled eggs and buttered lima beans in addition to everything else posted so far. Pecan pie is a favorite of mine. Good gravy, I'm getting hungry and sick at the same time! Can't wait. Good luck with your dinner, let us know how it goes. And Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Atomic Age]

Oh roasted brussels sprout sound great. How could I forget mixed sweet pickles and pecan pie. When I was growing up, we had 4 pecan trees around our house, so my dad use to make pecan brittle! Mmmmmmmmm

Doug

 

[Atomic Age]

All of the above, plus sweet mixed pickles. We have squash pie here, which may be mostly a New England thing -- and the squash must always be "One Pie" brand, from a can.

I agree with the stuffing-in-the-bird. And none of these novelty cooking methods for the turkey for a true traditional meal -- no deep frying, brining, or any of that stuff. Roast it in the oven like God and the Pilgrims intended.

I have to agree. I love a good fried turkey, but for thanksgiving, its go to be roasted in the oven!

Doug

 

[Tomasso]

Candied sweet potatoes :essen:

 

[rue]

I agree with the stuffing-in-the-bird. And none of these novelty cooking methods for the turkey for a true traditional meal -- no deep frying, brining, or any of that stuff. Roast it in the oven like God and the Pilgrims intended.

Thank you! I feel the same way

My family have never served green beans on Thanksgiving . Our green is Brussels sprouts.

Neither have we, because my mom hates green beans. In fact I've never had green bean casserole.

We always have broccoli with cheddar cheese broiled on top.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

In fact I've never had green bean casserole.

From my perspective..you ain't missing much. The first time or two..I thought it was OK...but after the concoction showing up everywhere..I'll pass.

 

[Atomic Age]

Well too be fair, its been showing up "everywhere" since 1955 when it was created by the Campbell's Soup Company. It was a huge hit that first year and has been a holiday staple ever since.

Doug

 

[Wise1too]

I think you have it all in the above! And about this time of year I have to have my stuffing checked! Oh Bergen!

 

[rue]

From my perspective..you ain't missing much. The first time or two..I thought it was OK...but after the concoction showing up everywhere..I'll pass.

I thought so. I'm not even going to say what I think it looks like :eeek:

 

[Atomic Age]

I thought so. I'm not even going to say what I think it looks like :eeek:

Yeah but it tastes good.

Doug

 

[Marzena]

Thank you all! I am very touched and grateful for your suggestions and recipies and will definitely let you know how it went. Invitations sent - no backing out now!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Well too be fair, its been showing up "everywhere" since 1955 when it was created by the Campbell's Soup Company. It was a huge hit that first year and has been a holiday staple ever since.

Doug

Well to be real fair...it didn't show up 'everywhere' in the '50s or '60s....at least not in my area. first time I probably had it was in the '80s.
HD

 

[Atomic Age]

Well to be real fair...it didn't show up 'everywhere' in the '50s or '60s....at least not in my area. first time I probably had it was in the '80s.
HD

Interesting. When I was a kid in the late 60's it seemed to be everywhere. I know Campbells discovered it was their most requested recipe sometime in the late 50's or early 60's.

Doug

 

[Atomic Age]

At my house Thanksgiving is an all day sort of thing, so there are lots of snacks and goodies to munch on while we wait for dinner. Here is the snack table from last year.

And of course here is the bird....

Doug