Pots and Pans
Thursday, November 22, 2012
IT IS the time of year once again when we give thanks to the One above for all the blessings, to our family and friends who played a major part in our exciting daily lives from birth till now and for the many more years to come.
Celebrated each year on the 4th Thursday of November (in the United States) and the 2nd Monday of October (in Canada), this holiday has been celebrated since the 1500’s or 1600’s but the exact date hasn’t been on a Thursday as we celebrate today until the early 1900’s (USA).
Historically, Thanksgiving began as a tradition of celebrating the harvest of the year, which is normally in November.
Other countries also celebrate Thanksgiving Day and that includes Germany, Korea, Japan, The Netherlands and a few others. But since this North American Holiday is also observed by “expats” all over the world, this has become a tradition in almost all countries where they reside.
And what is Thanksgiving without the dinner?
Traditionally, the Turkey takes the center stage on this special occasion. Most Thanksgiving turkeys are stuffed with a delicious bread-based stuffing with the addition of apples, raisins, celery, chestnuts, sausages and some vegetables then roasted slowly in the oven for a period of time.
Sage is the traditional herb used to the stuffing (also called dressing), along with chopped celery, carrots and onions.
Deep fried turkey is rising in popularity, requiring large fryers to hold the large bird.
Other non-traditional food are also seen nowadays on the table like Ham.
Depending on where it is celebrated, certain food are used in connection with their cultures back home. It is not surprising to see duck, goose, chicken or any other type of fowl, seafoods used in lieu of the huge turkey.
Most Americans would want cranberry sauce and gravy to go with the turkey, which also would include yams, mashed potatoes, noodles, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, beans, peas, carrots, bread rolls, corn bread and green salads. And for the dessert, it would always be pies which can be pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate cream pie or sweet potato pie and served with a dollop of sweetened cream or vanilla ice cream.
And to finish the meal, apple cider or wines are served.
But it is also common to have coffee and tea to end a spectacular meal with family and friends. Some might opt for some juices, cocktails, beer or other spirits.
I am pretty sure most of our Pinoy friends and relatives living in North America might celebrate like the Americans or Canadians but definitely with a twist. Having roasted pig instead of turkey and more Pinoy food fare like adobo, spaghetti, caldereta, embotido, afritada, lumpia shanghai, hamonada and the like.
As for desserts, we would have fruit salads, leche flan, brazo de Mercedes, enzaymada, ice cream, halo-halo, brownies, biko, suman, cassava cake, banan turon and so much more.
What about the Pinoy in us here in the Philippines? We are slowly incorporating this special event into our lives but surely we celebrate this because we wanted to thank God for all His bountiful blessings. With a tropical country like us, we practically harvest all year round. Besides, we also have fiestas to celebrate, birthdays, baptismal, weddings, graduations and practically almost every occasion that calls for a feast!
Indeed, we are so fortunate and lucky to give thanks to our God all year round!
This is actually the start of the holiday season in the Americas because soon, it will be the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas season, which calls for another great and joyous celebration for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and may we all appreciate and acknowledge with sincere gratitude to the only One above! Give thanks for He is good, all the time!
(Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com, email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on November 22, 2012.
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