The thing I always loved about my childhood Thanksgivings was the merging of my Italian culture with the traditional American meal.
Of course, we had turkey and stuffing. but an Italian holiday dinner has to start with antipasto (cured meats, cheeses, olives, roast peppers, etc), followed by a pasta course, typically lasagna, stuffed shells, or manicotti and cannelloni.
For side dishes, we had traditional roasted sweet potatoes, but no marshmallows or green bean casserole! We sauté our string beans stovetop, in olive oil with garlic and peperoncino. We also had roasted root vegetables with garlic and herbs, cranberry sauce, stuffed artichokes, and a big salad. And lots of crusty Italian bread.
The turkey was covered in bacon to give it a smoky flavor and to keep it moist. The stuffing was usually traditional but sometimes we did chestnut & sausage, or cornbread, apple & walnut.
After the main course, we had sliced raw fennel (for digestion), fruit, roasted nuts, etc.
Then there were the desserts! A pumpkin pie and Italian pastries – at a minimum – plus some other cakes. And of course, after dinner drinks to digest (Amaro, sambuca, amaretto, etc.)
People would laugh when I told them Thanksgiving dinner would start at 1 PM, but we didn’t finish until at least 6 or 7PM. We ate leisurely and savored the food, with breaks between courses.
After my mother passed away, so did this tradition. My father and I began to spend Thanksgiving with my best friend and her family – which were wonderful celebrations!
But after my father passed and I became an Italian citizen, I’m now in Italy for Thanksgiving so a new tradition has developed – spending Thanksgiving with good friends who visit from the U.S.!
The food may be different but the spirit is there – I’m grateful and thankful for the life I have and the people who are a part of it.
So what is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? Let us know in the comments!
However you’re celebrating, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Share this post:
…and the figs and roasted chestnuts for my grandparents after the finocch! (Finicchio/fennel)😊
Yes! We had roasted chestnuts too! They were my parent’s favorite. Sometimes we had dates and dried figs, as well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
What a beautiful tribute to your heritage and family. I know that wonderful celebration with your family because I was privileged to be a part of it. Thanksgiving was never the same after that and I will never forget those holidays.
You are family and my parents adored you! They were always so happy when you could join us. What wonderful memories! Happy Thanksgiving from across the pond.