The New Deli takes a long weekend off for Thanksgiving, and we hope you all get to too! Hopefully, all systems go for everyone to enjoy family and friends over the break.
I’m laughing (not out loud, but…)- when I look at my Thanksgiving post from ten years ago, I realize… some things have changed!
Back in 2015, I posted a picture of a turkey-esque veggie tray… yeah, that’s not gonna happen this year. I did manage to prep some pomegranates, and I have some cucumber in the fridge. If anyone needs anything healthier than cranberry bread before our big meal, they can opt for that.
I did make some pie crusts ahead of time and froze those, so pecan pie will definitely be on the menu (a big fave for the cook and a few others). Some of the grandkids are getting too old now, and they’re on to me, saying stuff like, “No, don’t make that homemade kabocha squash pie that doesn’t taste like pumpkin!” Well, hate to say it kids, but we had a bumper crop of kabocha squash this year, so you’ll just have to pick up a store-bought one for your own personal backup. Ha…
I noticed a cranberry chutney recipe on that old 2015 post. Sure, it’s pretty good, but I don’t think you’ll be making it if you haven’t already. There’s enough to do on Thanksgiving! I did make a fermented, fruit-sweetened cranberry relish a couple weeks ago- some of us will enjoy that. But someone else is bringing that traditional relish that comes out of a can, ya know, “for those kids”. They want “normal” cranberry relish. OK, OK, someone will bring it1
I’ll let down my guard for a minute and make this Cranberry Nut Bread, even if it doesn’t fit the regimen we’re normally on. Again, “for the kids”. I tried a healthy, sour-dough whole wheat version of this bread last month. Sure, it had less sugar and was definitely healthier, but I was completely outvoted as to whether it could substitute for the original recipe. Again, gotcha! No “healthy style”…
I don’t want to lose the meaning of gathering together and enjoying each other’s company for this holiday. Ideally, it’s not really about the big production. Several of us women elect to bring certain things, so the load’s not too great for any one person. And, ideally, we all still have energy left to enjoy family and loved ones. That’s the greatest blessing!
