By: Natalie Shafer

Thanksgiving, one of the most popular and beloved holidays in the United States, is most known for its food and traditions that bring families together. Thanksgiving is all about family, giving thanks and enjoying the food on the dining room table. It is a time to reflect and give thanks for the blessings of the past year. From the turkey to the cranberry sauce, each dish tells a story of family, heritage and the joy of sharing a meal with your loved ones.

 Most of us know Thanksgiving started when the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together to share food and that is why we celebrate it every year on the fourth Thursday of November. We get together with family, friends and other loved ones and have a feast. Traditionally most well-liked dishes are turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and green bean casserole. 

Turkey, which was eaten at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 is the most popular dish now because it’s large, it tastes good, and is easy to cook. Another popular food at Thanksgiving that we usually do not have any other time of the year is cranberry sauce. At the first Thanksgiving, the Native Americans would have most likely brought it because it was a common food for them. The sweet version of it that we eat today, however, did not become popular until the 1800s. Stuffing, which was first a European dish, is another traditionally favored dish. It can be made in many different ways, with some using bread or cornbread, rice or even quinoa.  It is usually made by combining cubes of bread or breadcrumbs with different ingredients like vegetables, herbs, spices and sometimes meat. Finally, for dessert, most of us have pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie became popular because pumpkins were used so much in cooking. In the 1700s, people started making sweet pumpkin pie and by the 1800s they were one of the most popular desserts at Thanksgiving. So although it was not at the first Thanksgiving, it’s a classic part of our current Thanksgiving. Although all these dishes seem so great, to some people none of these and all of them are their favorite, because their truly favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the leftovers. The food warmed up-for days later-might just be better than the dinner or the day itself. Each Thanksgiving food is different to everyone; there are at least 30 different things you could say is your favorite dish, because it’s all about what tastes best to you. 

My favorite food at Thanksgiving is turkey. It’s very basic but it is good because you can do so many different things. When I was younger I would eat turkey sandwiches, yet it is also delicious with mashed potatoes. My mom also makes noodles with turkey, carrots, celery and other things with mashed potatoes. That is what makes turkey my personal favorite because of the variety of dishes that can be made with it. 

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection, gratitude and especially sharing a meal with those we love. From turkey to pumpkin pie, the foods we eat at Thanksgiving have deep roots in not only American culture but also our family culture. Whether it is the comforting taste of the food on the table or the joy of leftovers that bring us back to the table, each dish is special. Thanksgiving reminds us that food isn’t just about nutrition, but about the memories we create with friends and family. The holiday itself is about celebrating the blessings the past year has given us and sharing the food we love most around a table filled with love and laughter. 

Photo courtesy of Real Simple