Preparing for Thanksgiving

As you start preparing for the Thanksgiving dinner, you wonder what foods you will be preparing because we have been adopting traditions from so many family members that we want to make sure will satisfy all our family and friends coming over for dinner.

But we must remember that Thanksgiving is about celebrating what each of us is grateful for. Many families follow a specific tradition, traditional foods in your family usually include what everyone likes to eat, and if you have a large group for dinner you will want to have something that will feed everyone, which is where the turkey comes in.

Turkeys are usually large, but the first dinner, the one in 1621, probably didn’t have them, there might have been other animals in the area. Our Thanksgiving dinners today are so intertwined with so many cultures, some Arab-American families may think that Thanksgiving dinner is “haram” meaning that they are not prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws. But your Arab-American dinner doesn’t have to include what others eat or be prepared as others do.

So you can celebrate Thanksgiving with your personal habits and traditional style of cooking. The whole point of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for what you’ve achieved in the year, for what you presently have, and to enjoy being with your family and friends at the dinner table.

Is Thanksgiving dinner haram?

Haram is an Arabic word that means “forbidden” or “unlawful” in Islamic law. It is the opposite of halal, which means “permissible” or “lawful.”

The concept of haram applies to a wide range of things, including food, drink, actions, and relationships. Some common examples of haram things include pork and its byproducts, alcohol, gambling, adultery, and theft.

Whether or not something is considered haram can depend on different interpretations of Islamic law. Some things that are considered haram by some Muslims may not be considered haram by others.

In the case of Thanksgiving dinner depends on the specific foods and practices involved during Thanksgiving. Some Muslims may consider certain Thanksgiving foods, such as turkey or ham, to be haram because they are not prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws. Others may not consider these foods to be haram as long as they are prepared in a halal way.

Ultimately, whether or not Thanksgiving dinner is considered haram is a personal decision that each Muslim must make for themselves based on their own understanding of Islamic law.

In preparing a turkey, you want to consider a pan that is large enough to handle a big turkey, it should have a wire rack, stainless steel is preferable because it’s so much easier to clean and can last a lifetime.

My recommendation for cooking the turkey and cleaning afterward is the 20-inch, stainless steel Precise Heat KTROAST3 Roaster. This is certainly built to last and if you get food stuck on the bottom or sides, it’s an easier task to clean than other pans, even those that say they are non-stick.

Where is Thanksgiving celebrated?

Thanksgiving is primarily a North American holiday, celebrated in the United States and Canada. While there are some similarities in the celebration of harvest festivals and giving thanks in other cultures around the world, the specific traditions and customs associated with Thanksgiving are largely unique to North America.

A Brief History of Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving

While the exact details are debated, the most commonly accepted story is that of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. In 1621, after a harsh winter, the Pilgrims, who had arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, shared a harvest feast with the Wampanoag. This shared meal is often cited as the origin of the Thanksgiving tradition.

In preparing for this Thanksgiving dinner, you will want to make sure you have the perfect tablecloth for your tables, Set the table up with a cotton linen hemstitch tablecloth from Solino, tablecloth comes in a variety of sizes and colors, it’s washable and you can always count on using it for other holidays.

From Local Celebrations to a National Holiday

• Colonial Era: Thanksgiving celebrations were sporadic events, often tied to specific events like bountiful harvests or military victories.
• 19th Century: Sarah Josepha Hale, an American writer and editor, campaigned for a nationally recognized Thanksgiving holiday. Her efforts, along with the support of President Abraham Lincoln, led to the official proclamation of Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863.

Modern Thanksgiving Traditions

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It’s a time for family and friends to gather, give thanks, and enjoy a traditional feast. Common Thanksgiving foods include:

• Roasted Turkey: The centerpiece of the meal.
• Stuffing: A bread-based dish, often flavored with herbs and spices.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes, often topped with gravy.
• Cranberry Sauce: A tart and sweet condiment.
• Pumpkin Pie: A classic dessert made with pumpkin puree, spices, and a flaky crust.

While the specific traditions and foods may vary, the core idea of giving thanks and sharing a meal with loved ones remains central to the holiday.

The pilgrims, the Wampanoags, and Thanksgiving dinner

While the shared meal between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag is a foundational part of the Thanksgiving story, the image of a joyous, idealized feast is often a simplified version of history.

Here are some complexities to consider:

• The Relationship with the Wampanoag: While the shared meal symbolizes peace and cooperation, the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag was complex and often fraught with tension. There were instances of conflict and misunderstanding.
• The Reality of the Feast: The historical accounts of the feast are limited, and the exact details are debated. It’s unlikely that the meal was as lavish or as joyful as often portrayed.
• The Legacy of Colonization: The Thanksgiving story is intertwined with the broader history of European colonization of North America, which had devastating consequences for Indigenous peoples.

It’s important to approach the Thanksgiving story with nuance and to acknowledge the complexities and contradictions within it. While the holiday is often celebrated as a time of gratitude and togetherness, it’s also crucial to recognize the historical context and the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities.

By understanding the full story, we can celebrate Thanksgiving in a more informed and respectful way.

Cooking was hard for those early settlers and Wampanoags, but we have easier ways to do things, for example, you can use a stainless steel mill to make mashed potatoes and sauces.

For your mashed potatoes or seedless cranberry sauce, you may want to try a mill with three swappable disks, the Ergonomic Food Mill Stainless Steel from The Hungry Artisan is just the key, you will be happy at how smooth your sauces will be and how easy it is to clean.

Is the Canadian Thanksgiving stemming from the same shared meal?

Canadian Thanksgiving is not directly related to the first shared meal between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. While both celebrations involve giving thanks for the harvest, they have distinct origins and traditions.

Canadian Thanksgiving is a more recent tradition, dating back to the 19th century. It was initially celebrated on various dates throughout the year, but in 1957, it was officially fixed to the second Monday of October.

While both Canadian and American Thanksgiving celebrations share some similarities, such as family gatherings and festive meals, they have evolved independently. The earlier date of Canadian Thanksgiving is likely tied to the earlier harvest season in Canada compared to the United States.

For baking sweet potatoes, yams, or mac and cheese, the CorningWare Ceramic Bakeware Set with Lids is a favorite from Amazon, in this set you get three baking dishes, two glass covers and one plastic cover for the refrigerator. Perfect for all your baking needs and easy to clean.

Global Thanksgiving celebrations

While Thanksgiving as we know it is primarily a North American tradition, many cultures around the world celebrate harvest festivals and days of gratitude, often involving communal meals and family gatherings.

Europe doesn’t have a direct equivalent to the American Thanksgiving holiday, many European countries do celebrate harvest festivals and other occasions that involve giving thanks. These celebrations often involve feasting, family gatherings, and religious observances.

Africa is rich in cultural diversity, and many African cultures celebrate harvest festivals and other occasions that involve giving thanks. These celebrations often involve unique rituals, traditional foods, and communal gatherings.

Many African tribes have their own unique harvest festivals and rituals, often tied to their specific cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Diwali, often referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” is a significant Hindu, Sikh, and Jain festival. During this time, people express gratitude for the blessings they’ve received and offer prayers for prosperity and happiness, its core message of gratitude and celebration resonates with the spirit of Thanksgiving.

• Japanese Labor Thanksgiving Day: Observed on the fourth Monday of November, this holiday is a day of gratitude for labor and industrial advancement.
• Chinese Moon Festival: Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, this festival involves family gatherings, mooncake eating, and offerings to the moon goddess.

• Diwali can certainly be considered a festival of thanks. While it may not align directly with the Western concept of Thanksgiving, it shares the essence of gratitude and celebration.

• Harvest Festivals: Many European countries have their own versions of harvest festivals, which often involve thanking for a bountiful harvest and celebrating with traditional food and drink.
• Christmas and Easter: Religious festivals like Christmas and Easter, while primarily religious holidays, often incorporate elements of giving thanks and celebrating family and community.
• Yam Festival: Celebrated in many West African countries, especially Ghana and Nigeria, this festival marks the harvest of yams, a staple food in the region. It involves various rituals, including offerings to ancestors and deities, as well as feasting and dancing.
• Homowo Festival: This festival, celebrated by the Ga people of Ghana, is a thanksgiving ceremony to commemorate the end of a famine and to pray for a bountiful harvest. It involves drumming, dancing, and the sprinkling of cornmeal to symbolize casting away hunger.
• Kojo Festival: Celebrated by the Akan people of Ghana, this festival marks the end of the farming season and is a time for thanksgiving and community bonding.

• Korean Chuseok: A major Korean holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Chuseok involves family reunions, ancestral rites, and the sharing of traditional Korean food like songpyeon (rice cakes).
• Cultural Celebrations: Some European countries have cultural festivals that involve feasting and sharing, like Oktoberfest in Germany or various food festivals throughout the year.

While these celebrations may not have the same structure or traditions as American Thanksgiving, they share the common theme of expressing gratitude, enjoying shared meals with loved ones, and celebrating life’s blessings.

The American Thanksgiving Turkey

The turkey is the staple of American Thanksgiving dinner, it wasn’t always the centerpiece of the feast. The historical record doesn’t definitively state what type of fowl was served at the first Thanksgiving meal in 1621. It could have been wild turkey, duck, or goose.

However, turkey became increasingly popular as a Thanksgiving dish in the 19th century. Several factors contributed to its rise:

• Abundance: Wild turkeys were plentiful in North America, making them a readily available source of protein.
• Size: Turkeys are larger than other birds, making them suitable for feeding large groups.

Cultural Significance: As Thanksgiving became a more formalized holiday, turkey became a symbol of the American tradition.

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The First Thanksgiving Dinner of 1621

Historical records provide limited details about the specific menu of the first Thanksgiving meal in 1621. However, based on accounts from Edward Winslow, one of the Pilgrims present, and other historical sources, we can make educated guesses about what was likely served.

Here’s a breakdown of what we know:

Meat:

• Venison: The Wampanoag guests brought five deer to share, which would have been a significant source of protein.
• Wildfowl: The Pilgrims likely hunted wild birds, such as ducks, geese, or possibly even turkey.

Seafood:

• Fish: Given their proximity to the coast, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag likely included fish in their meal, such as cod or bass.

Vegetables:

• Corn: Corn was a staple crop for the Wampanoag and would have been served, possibly as cornbread or porridge.
• Beans and Squash: These were other common crops grown by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag.
• Nuts and Berries: Local fruits and nuts, such as cranberries and walnuts, likely complemented the meal.

It’s important to note that the meal probably didn’t resemble a modern Thanksgiving feast. There was no turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, or pumpkin pie. The focus was on simple, hearty foods that were readily available and celebrated the harvest.

Is Mac and Cheese a Thanksgiving dish?

If you are looking for historically accurate Thanksgiving dishes, you will be disappointed… or happy to know that Thanksgiving din

ner is for your table, and as such, it will include what you wish it to have according to your family traditions, cultural background, and guests at the table. And some exceptions may apply, “when in Rome…do as the Romans do”.

The exact origin of macaroni and cheese is a bit hazy, but we can trace its roots back to Europe. The earliest known recipe for a dish resembling mac and cheese can be found in a 14th-century Italian cookbook, “Liber de Coquina.” This recipe involved layers of pasta and cheese, baked in a casserole.

However, the mac and cheese we know today, with its creamy, cheesy sauce, is more closely linked to French cuisine. The French introduced the idea of a Mornay sauce, a béchamel sauce enriched with cheese, which is often used as the base for mac and cheese.

In the United States, Thomas Jefferson is credited with popularizing mac and cheese. He was a fan of French cuisine and introduced the dish to American diners during a state dinner in 1802. From there, it gained popularity and evolved into the comfort food we know today.

While the exact origins of mac and cheese may be debated, it’s clear that this beloved dish has a rich history and has been enjoyed by people for centuries.

Conclusion

The beauty of Thanksgiving is its adaptability. Any American family can celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that reflects their cultural heritage and personal preferences. They could incorporate traditional dishes into their Thanksgiving meal, or they could simply enjoy a more traditional American Thanksgiving feast. An Arab-American family can add tabbouleh, or baklava, a Chinese-American family may want to add their favorite wontons or dumplings. A Korean-American family may want to include a side of Kimchi.

Fair warning, I tried to include a nice salad to the Thanksgiving meal several years ago when I was trying to have less cooked food on my plate, and no one touched the salad. I stick to proteins now, they go better with the crowd.

Our family constantly changes the traditional dishes, some dinners include lamb, some have salmon, and some have brisket in addition to a turkey because some of us feel we need to see a turkey to feel like it’s a Thanksgiving dinner, but you really don’t. Remember, it’s about gratitude, giving thanks first and foremost.

And yes, we love our mac and cheese, we keep on experimenting because somehow any recipe we follow never quite turns right mostly we add too much of something we like and that throws it off. Sometimes younger people focus on how much food they can have, while the older folks just want to eat what they like and don’t care to experiment.

For all our corky families, the key is to focus on the spirit of gratitude, family, and community that defines the holiday. Whether you’re celebrating with a traditional turkey dinner or a fusion of cultures, the most important thing is to spend time with loved ones and give thanks.