Friday, November 25, 2011

Gratitude

The Thanksgiving holiday tradition is rooted in old European and Native North American harvest festivals. 

I love the idea of celebrating the harvest, and doing so in a spirit of the utmost reverence to time-honored American culinary traditions.













 Every Thanksgiving dinner begins with Veggie Booty, which as we all know was brought by the Wampanoag Indians to the Pilgrims and saved them from famine that cold winter of 1621. 


Some zesty kale chips sprinkled with nutritional yeast, small amounts of which survived the trip over on the Mayflower, rounded out the appetizers. 




One thing the Pilgrims may not have known about was Celebration Roast with coconut sauce. This is a Stade family tradition that began the year my dad was in the hospital over Thanksgiving. We knew the very thought of such a thing would send him to the hospital even if he hadn't otherwise needed a quadruple bypass, so my Mom, brothers, sister and I took the opportunity to enjoy some ourselves. 








Then there's everyone's favorite, Brussels sprouts! 









    
The main course was Swiss fondue. Also apparently unknown amongst the Wampanoag, but what is Thanksgiving without a little taste of Switzerland?


So wonderful to enjoy a traditional family holiday in a way that honored what's best about our country--blended multicultural families, delicious vegetarian foods, and one rule: dogs MUST be at the table


What's YOUR favorite way to celebrate Thanksgiving? 

18 comments:

  1. Hi Y'all,

    Vegetables are a favorite of my Humans.

    I love the fact that your dog is included. Most people in this rural area, including the relatives, don't think any fur laden animal should be allowed inside ever.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  2. I actually love brussel sprouts! And we love your rule too! Great photos and great meal!

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  3. Gosh, everything looks delicious and the fondue looks like it was a real hit. We had a beautiful day with the family. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's a day of hospitality, family, friends and gratitude...oh, and really good food too.

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  4. I'm still full from yesterday, but that fondue is making me drool a little...

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  5. Wow that's some dinner. Our favorite way to spend Thanksgiving is with my mom and dad and my (doggie) brothers and my sister. Of course :)

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  6. Dogs should DEFINITELY be included!! Looks like a wonderful holiday celebration :-)

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  7. Your day looks wonderful!!

    AROOOOOF!
    Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

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  8. I've been reading some splendid Thanksgiving posts today. But this is the first one that had me laughing out loud. You really got me with the veggie bootie. :)

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  9. It all sounds delicious! Your Thanksgiving Day looked enjoyable!

    Nina, Myshka, Sasha, Betsy, Lucy, Phoebe and Lily

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  10. It looks beautiful and I bet it was really delicious! I grew up having turkey every year with my family, but my husband's family also has ham with pineapple glaze and I always really like that. Plus, the homemade cranberry sauce and PIE!

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  11. What a wonderful Thanksgiving post! The food looks delicious and it sounds like you had a lovely time with the family! Such sweet photos!

    I totally agree that dogs should always be welcome at the table! :->

    Suka

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  12. We eat and eat some more. My kids beg for the cranberry salad. Truly. It has tart cherries, pineapple and nuts in it.

    And I think fondue should be on everyone's table!

    Please share what makes up the Celebration Roast. :) Wonderful traditions!

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  13. Great post! The food looks delish and the dog at the table is priceless. I wish I'd gotten a good shot of our foster dog at the table, er, TV tray.

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  14. Glad you guys had such a wonderful holiday! Elizabeth, the Celebration Roast is not homemade, much as I wish I could take credit for it! You can get it at Whole Wallet, er, Whole Foods, and it's 100% vegan "grain meat" with vegetables. Nice and hearty!

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  15. All that food looks really yummy! It's time like these I wish I was able to eat people food. mmm!

    Nice to meet you, Kirsten. I think it's great what you do for dogs. I am a rescue dog myself and it's a shame how many wonderful dogs get abandoned :(

    Hope you had a wonderful howliday!

    Alfie (http://pawsitively-alfie.blogspot.com)

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  16. I'm sorry, but Whole Wallet is SO hilarious! I had not heard that before. :)

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