Around the world, different cultures celebrate the holidays with a variety of food options.
Keene State College had its annual Thanksgiving dinner on November 21 at the Zorn Dining Commons, which celebrated an array of food choices. However, even with many different options, KSC students still have their favorite dishes.
First-year Camden Ladzinski said, “I would say homemade bread probably or a chocolate pie” would be her favorite holiday food.
First-year Kayleigh Young said “probably stuffing” as her dedicated meal choice.
First-year Tori Tejada said, “My favorite holiday food is green bean casserole.”
The typical Thanksgiving dinner is often seen as including roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, mac and cheese and green bean casserole. However, that only takes into account American traditions.
Around the world, Thanksgiving dishes look very different. An article from Kitchen Dance outlines these special holiday foods. Danelle Gauden writes, “In Canada, Thanksgiving (celebrated in October) features comforting, hearty meals. Butter tarts, a flaky pastry filled with buttery caramelized sugar, are a sweet staple. Often mixed with raisins or pecans, these bite-sized treats are a favorite dessert for Canadian Thanksgiving tables.”
The article also featured food from Germany. “Germany’s Erntedankfest, or ‘Harvest Thanksgiving Festival,’ includes dishes that highlight autumn’s bounty. Kartoffelklöße, or potato dumplings, are soft, fluffy bites served with rich gravy. Pair them with roasted vegetables or pork for a hearty addition to your Thanksgiving spread.”
South Korea specializes in Songpyeon (Rice Cakes), “South Korea’s Chuseok festival, similar to Thanksgiving, honors ancestors and celebrates the harvest. Songpyeon, crescent-shaped rice cakes filled with ingredients like sesame seeds or red bean paste, are steamed over pine needles for a fragrant finish. These delicate treats are perfect for a globally inspired dessert option,” according to Kitchen Dance.
Japan takes a different approach: “Though Thanksgiving isn’t traditionally celebrated in Japan, the country’s Kinr Kansha no Hi (Labor Thanksgiving Day) in late November often includes special meals. Matsutake Gohan, rice infused with fragrant matsutake mushrooms, celebrates the season’s harvest flavors,” Gauden wrote.
Not every culture celebrates American holidays, which leads to a plethora of diversity.
In the United States, people have defined their top favorite dishes. According to a tasteofhome.com survey, 76% of Americans choose to dine on ham, roast potatoes, red velvet cake and Christmas nuts over the holidays. Coming in second place in the same survey, mashed potatoes were a favorite of 75% of respondents. In the top five most popular Christmas dishes, turkey is a favorite of 73% of survey respondents.
Madelyn French can be contacted at
mafrench@kscequinox.com
