For us here in the U.S., today we celebrate Thanksgiving. So, how about a little bit of history of this day?
It was back in 1641 that the first feast associated with this holiday was recorded. It was a celebration of the harvest in Plymouth, Massachusetts. And, it actually occurred in October, rather than November. The dinner guests included 50 English colonists and 90 Wampanoag Indians.
What did they eat? Turkey? It might have been one of the many fowl in the area that was used. The dinner did include Venison, and any of the wild fowl there at the time. It might have also included fish and shellfish. But it was a celebration of the harvest so the dinner featured the many vegetables that had been brought in from that harvest.
There were no pies at this dinner as they had no ovens at the time. And it lacked what we now think of as traditional: Mashed potatoes and yams. These items were not staples of the English diet. There was no cranberry sauce either as sugar was at a premium.
It was in 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. And in 1941 President Roosevelt designated that this day of celebration be on the 4th Thursday of the month of November.
We are happy to celebrate this holiday and look forward to it every year. What will we be having?
I will also be making a green bean casserole, which I do not have a photo of and will be a future post. Cranberry sauce will be on the table as well.
Wines that will go well with a turkey on Thanksgiving are a Beaujolais Nouveau, Grenache or a Pinot Noir. Before serving these wines, stick them in the refrigerator 20 minutes before popping the cork. The bit of a chill down brings these wines to cellar temperature.
May the spirit of Thanksgiving bring you love, laughter, warmth, and the joy of being surrounded by your family and friends! Have a wonderful day!
Life in the Foothills 