With the days getting colder and shorter, the holidays are coming right around the corner.
Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday that many people with different traditions and cultures celebrate with their families. It is the day where many people give thanks for the stuffed turkey, the tart cranberries, and for being with family.
The American population contains people from all around the world and each individual has their own unique way for making Thanksgiving a blissful holiday.
This holiday is for everyone to gather around with their family and friends and for sitting down to enjoy an amazing feast.
“What I think of [when I think of] Thanksgiving is family… we eat, we talk, [and] we are thankful for each other,” Jose Lopez (’23) said.
When it comes to the Thanksgiving dinner, the American tradition is to cook: a turkey, a bowl of mashed potatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese, and sweet potato casserole are among many favorites. Then, it is to be covered up with some gravy and cranberry sauce.
Food like turkey is traditional because the Pilgrims had hunted for these birds before they sat down with the natives and enjoyed an amicable dinner.
Now, since more people from different cultures are celebrating this fun-filled holiday, there are many new Thanksgiving options to make for dinner.
Each culture has its own special type of food that is made with different spices, ingredients, and is cooked in a specific way.
“Some Guatemalan foods are tamales and pupusas,” Edward Portillo (’21) said.
Portillo elaborated on how he incorporates these traditional foods into his Thanksgiving feast and how he celebrates with his family.
“We party because it is Thanksgiving,” Portillo continued.
Many Guatemalan foods mainly consist of corn, peppers, rice, beans, meat, cheese, and tortillas. These ingredients can easily be distributed in a casserole for Thanksgiving.
“My dad always buys a turkey or a chicken or a duck…and my mom always cooks curry because I am Asian,” Surovi Das (’22) said.
Surovi is from Bangladesh.
In most Southern Asian countries, chicken and curry are essential to many desi cuisines. Instead of a roasted turkey, a tandoori chicken can keep a family happy.
Besides the delicious feast, Thanksgiving is meant to bring the closeness of every family. Whether you have lo mein from the nearest Chinese restaurant or a large pizza with two toppings from Dominos, your family will be thankful just for your company.
