Modern traditions
Thanksgiving is celebrated quite differently these days. Traditions vary from family to family: some people thank God for the food at the table and the abundance they have in their lives, while others prefer to share with their loved ones what they have been grateful for over the past year. Everyone interprets their gratitude differently, but the common denominator is that for Americans this holiday is one of the most celebrated. The modern tradition is to always have a roasted turkey on the table, which is usually stuffed with potatoes or rice. Other specific foods for this holiday are candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, meat sauce, cranberry sauce, cornbread and pumpkin pie for dessert.
The great significance of the holiday becomes clear from the many parades across America on the occasion of Thanksgiving, the largest being in New York. For people who have no relatives to gather on this day, parades bring a festive spirit and fun. Large boulevards are being closed and instead of cars, platforms carrying giant turkeys are moving along them, various ensembles are dancing, and in recent years many huge balloons of various cartoon characters can be seen. As well as that, many people decide to put a
Thanksgiving flower centerpiece in the middle of the dining table in order to welcome the festive spirit and bring a pinch of coziness into their homes. There are different types of
Thanksgiving flower arrangements that will suit both your front door and the table!
The Festive Dinner
It was originally celebrated as Thanksgiving and Sacrifice Day for the blessings of the harvest and the previous year. Festival holidays with similar names are also found in Germany and Japan. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday.
The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes favorite old-fashioned dishes that never change: turkey, sauce, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables and pie. But the way these dishes are prepared or presented is constantly changing due to dietary trends and different dietary preferences.
Roast turkey is the most important main dish for the festive table on Thanksgiving. The key to a successful dinner is the presence of a turkey large enough to feed everyone and leftover leftovers to prepare interesting meals in the coming days. Here are two interesting suggestions that will make the turkey (and the person who cooked it) the star of the evening:
- Place bacon, pancetta or prosciutto on the surface of the whole turkey. This will protect the white meat from overcooking, will give the meat it's natural juiciness, giving it a slightly smoky finish;
- For lovers of more non-traditional flavors, you can make a marinade of honey and balsamic, fortified with thyme and oranges. Simple and very fragrant!
Stuffing and garnish are another very important component of the holiday table. The main difference between the two is that the stuffing is prepared inside the bird, and the garnish is prepared and served separately.
A delicious, classic suggestion for stuffing or garnish is fragrant bread croutons seasoned with sage. Chopped nuts, raisins, diced apples or dried blueberries can be added to the filling, depending on your preferences.
