Table Filled With Boxing Day Buffet Lunch, Christmas Tree and Log Fire
When most people picture Thanksgiving dinner, the vision of the table is crystal clear. There's usually a large turkey, cooked until perfectly crisp and golden brown, at the center. Filling in the rest of the space on the table is any given selection of sides. Depending on geographical location and family tradition, you might see mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, roasted root vegetables, cranberry sauce, sautéed green beans, freshly baked biscuits, or macaroni and cheese. But not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving in the same way, and some choose not to celebrate at all.
In the coming weeks, we'll be hearing from a handful of our MSA writers who'll share how they choose to 'do Thanksgiving' differently. Mary will regale us with tales of epic sauerkraut making, Naomi will explain why she and her First Nation family choose not to partake in Thanksgiving, Jessica will show off Blue Apron's holiday meal kits, and Jeanne will turn her back on turkey and create a meal around steaks from ButcherBox.
I wanted to kick things off by sharing my own story. I come from a quirky family that doesn't mind doing things a little bit differently, and that's frequently reflected in our holiday celebrations. Every Christmas, in lieu of a meal of goose or ham, we lean into our Scandinavian roots and enjoy a smörgåsbord of cold cuts, pickles, cheeses, crackers, salads, and other tasty treats. For Thanksgiving, we've always voted on which meal to serve. My brother doesn't like turkey, so at least every other year we opt for something unexpected like lasagna or salmon. This year, he was diagnosed with celiac disease, so I think it's safe to say that the years we opt to enjoy traditional Thanksgiving fare will never quite be the same again. Instead of stuffing and parker house rolls, the cooks in our kitchen have been testing out recipes for gluten-free cornbread and flourless chocolate cake, and I'm seeking inspiration from some of my favorite gluten-free meal delivery services (like Sakara, Sprinly, and Green Chef). I won't have a chance to see him this year, but next year, I plan to be ready with the best celiac-friendly Thanksgiving recipes I can find. Goodbye and good riddance gluten, there's not longer a place for you at my holiday table. On that note, does anyone has any favorite GF recipes? If so, please share!
Starting next Wednesday, each week will bring a new take on how our team is doing Thanksgiving differently. Keep an eye out for things to kick off next week with Mary's sauerkraut-fest!
Are you planning to celebrate Thanksgiving in a non-traditional way? Let us know what you've got cooking in the comments below.
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