Thanksgiving is held, as it is every year, on the 4th Thursday in November. In the United States, on November 28, young and old, families and friends, will gather together around a big table. A convivial moment to give thanks for the good things in life, and to recall the opulent meal shared between the Pilgrim Fathers and the Amerindians when the New World was discovered by the English colonists.
Turkeys, game of all kinds, fish, as well as lobster, clams, squash and various fruits were enjoyed by the Wampanoag tribe. These dishes have become symbols of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It is from this original meal that the tradition of eating turkey at Thanksgiving originated. Every year, over 40 million turkeys are eaten in the United States on this day, and some of these birds can weigh up to 18 kilos!
The centerpiece of any festive meal, turkey is usually served whole, stuffed with bread, celery, carrots, onions, chestnuts and bacon, and roasted in the oven. Seasoned with aromatic herbs, spices and butter to make it tender and juicy, it's often accompanied by a creamy mashed potato or a sweeter sweet potato puree, and a sweet-and-sour sauce made with cranberries, a sour berry very popular in the United States.
Note that in some families, the stuffing is served separately, as a side dish in its own right. Other families also serve a nice roast or honey-glazed ham to replace or complement the turkey. But the craziest recipe is turducken, a partially boned turkey stuffed with partially boned duck, itself stuffed with partially boned chicken!
But the main dish can also vary from state to state. For example, in some areas of the West Coast of the USA, Dungeness crab is commonly served as an alternative dish, due to the start of the fishing season in early November. Similarly, Thanksgiving coincides with the opening of the deer-hunting season in the Northeastern U.S., encouraging the preparation of game dishes. In some Alaskan villages, whale meat is sometimes eaten.
To accompany these beautiful beasts, vegetables are also part of the party, often green beans, sweet potatoes sometimes covered with marshmallows, corn which can also be prepared in the form of lightly sweetened bread, squash and Brussels sprouts.
All this goodness usually takes long hours to prepare, especially the turkey in the oven, and it's not uncommon for every member of the family to pitch in. The recipes, handed down from generation to generation, are as gourmet as they are generous. They embody the tradition and conviviality of a holiday dedicated to gratitude and family sharing.
To end this gargantuan meal on a sweet note, families won't want to miss out on a variety of typically American pies, such as pumpkin pie, a Thanksgiving staple, pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, apple pie and sweet potato pie.
Now that you're familiar with these specialties, why not try them out at a restaurant in Paris for Thanksgiving 2024 on November 28? Discover the special menus below!
Where to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024 at a restaurant in Paris?
Looking for a restaurant to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024, America's beloved holiday? Discover the restaurants in Paris open to you this Thursday, November 28! [Read more]
Where to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024 at a restaurant in Paris?
