Traditional Thanksgiving recipes and dishes

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu exists, but with today's multi-cultural society; the wide range of ingredients available today; and the advances in kitchen appliances, there have been inevitable changes and additions to this traditional meal.

In 1621 the original meal was eaten by the Christian pilgrims to give thanks to the almighty for safeguarding them on their long journey to America in the Mayflower, and for watching over them through the following years of drought. The celebration took place after the rains returned and the crops had been revived. The meal was shared with their neighboring Native Indians. 

The feast was put together using the supplies they had and food contributed by their guests. They had at their disposal wild fowl (turkey), deer, corn meal, fish, fruits, nuts, vegetables, preserves, goat's cheese, milk and eggs. So these were probably the main ingredients of the original feast.

 Today we have many more ingredients at our disposal and there is no reason to stick to the traditional foods although they bring a sense of tradition and remind us of our heritage. The traditional menu is made up of recipes usually handed down through the family.

The standard American Thanksgiving meal menu includes:

A roast turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce and gravy

Pumpkin or sweet potato (yam) pie

Corn on the cob (sweet corn)

Green beans, sometimes in a casserole

Other vegetables served include winter squash, peas, carrots, turnips, salad

Cornbread, rolls or biscuits

Dumplings,

Deviled eggs

For dessert:

Pies – apple pie, mince pie, chocolate meringue pie, pecan pie.

There are many other additions which some from family recipes or recipes particular to a region but the above menu is the most typical Thanksgiving fare for 2009.