Thanksgiving, fondly referred to as “Turkey Day” by some of the United States, symbolizes a celebration of community and autumnal harvest. This tradition began with the English colonists as early as the first feast between the Pilgrims and the Powhatans. The first Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower and broke bread with the Powhatans, signifying giving thanks for the community and autumn harvest. The tradition of having a large meal near the last days of November continues today. Some countries, including the U.S. and Canada, celebrate a holiday in the fall with traditional meals of turkey and cranberry sauce, but many others incorporate their own cultural meals as well. Countries like South Korea, Germany, and China also celebrate mid-autumn festivals.
Traditional With a Twist
A diverse group of different cultures makes up the student body here at AFHS. Abi Burt (11) fondly remembers the fact that, “every Thanksgiving, [her] grandma cooks a jello cake, which is a white cake with chunks of jello.” Known as poke cakes, Southern Living describes the process: “the baker pierces the top of the freshly baked cake and then pours over something sweet, syrupy or creamy, and often colorful to soak.” This process retains much of the flavor and allows whimsy as well. Diza Pandey (11) has a slightly different, more Asian inspired meal. She says that her family and her “shred chicken with bell peppers, onions, and spices, and eat it as a snack,” finishing the meal with some refreshing “mango ice cream.”
Canada
Being the most similar to their American counterparts, tables laden with savory maple glazed turkey with carrots and traditional sides like stuffing graced Canadian homes on October 11. However, according to Contiki in their article on Canadian thanksgiving foods, smoked salmon almost always makes an appearance, whether mixed in with cream cheese in dip or just by itself as an appetizer. Canada may have strange traditions like layering pumpkin and mincemeat in a pie, but most will appear delicious to the average student. Contiki also emphasizes that Native Canadian plants like cranberries and corn also feature heavily in their fall festival cuisine. Creamed corn, made with butter, black pepper, and cream make a savory and sweet side dish. It just wouldn’t be Canada without poutine râpée. Different from regular fries and cheese curds, this dish consists of a potato dumpling stuffed with pork, meant to replace mashed potatoes.
Going Bananas
Norfolk Island, even as a tiny Australian territory in the Pacific Ocean, has a tradition of an autumn festival as well, celebrated on the last Wednesday of November. This stemmed from American whalers visiting the island and introducing locals to dishes like pumpkin pie. On the last Wednesday of November, the islanders celebrate and enjoy a ridiculous amount of banana dishes. They eat mashed bananas, banana pilaf, banana bread, green bananas in cream, and dried bananas. Meats like roast pork and chicken appear as well, but one could say that this island continues to be “bananas for bananas.”
Many cultures around the world have, for centuries, celebrated Thanksgiving around this time in autumn, near the harvest season. Even as many different cultures and areas of the world partake in different dishes, the same purpose arises: to give thanks.
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