What are your Thanksgiving plans? Do you host a big dinner, take charge of the turkey, and pester the neighbors for extra dining room chairs? Do you travel to an aunt’s, uncle’s or grandmother’s house? Maybe you are in college and can’t wait to get home to Mom’s cooking (and to do laundry, of course). Maybe you are a newlywed and planning your first Thanksgiving dinner at home, for just the two of you. One of the nice things about Thanksgiving is that we all celebrate in our own ways, but nearly everyone celebrates. And what’s not to like about a holiday that celebrates food, family and friends? Not to mention parades and football.
Whatever your Thanksgiving plans, if you are cooking even one dish, I hope you consider searching out local, farm-fresh ingredients. This weekend will mark one of the biggest farmer’s market days of the year and there is bound to be one near you. Below, I’ve pulled together a list of fall-inspired recipes that may work for your Thanksgiving feast. Many of the recipes can be made with 100% local ingredients if you live in the Northeast, or in fact, in many parts of the States. Some others rely on one or two key non-local ingredients; orange, cinnamon, or chocolate; that make all the difference in a mostly-local dish. Check out the Shop Local page for resources in the Hudson Valley and explore Local Harvest for farms, wineries, and markets near you. Whatever your holiday plans, I wish you a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving, full of laughter, fun times, and of course, excellent food.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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APPETIZERS
Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Crispy Sage
My favorite pumpkin soup.
Flageolet and Roasted Garlic Spread
Delicious, simple and can be made ahead.
Heirloom Squash Soup with Roasted Chestnuts
They’ll disappear before the bird hits the table!
Always a fan favorite.
Salt & Cocoa Pumpkin Seeds, and Salty, Spicy or Sweet Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
For munching on while you baste, baste and baste again.
ACCOMPANIMENTS
Apple Rhubarb Chutney with Fennel & Cardamom and Curried Apple Chutney
A little chutney is always a good thing.
No Peel ‘Em Apple Butter, (Virtually) No Stir Apple Butter, and Cranberry Apple Butter
Somehow, everyone loves apple butter (except me, that is). This is great on fresh rolls, turkey sandwiches, scones, muffins, or toast.
Not just for pork chops anymore!
This spicy chutney is a nice alterntive to often overly-sweet cranberry sauce.
Whole Grain Scottish Rolls (Baps)
Easiest, moistest whole grain rolls ever.
Beautiful, moist and just slightly pumpkiny.
Make a double batch of these; I can guarantee you they will disappear.
THE MAIN EVENT
Cranberry Roasted Turkey Breast
For those of you who are not cooking for an army, or who aren’t fans of dark meat, a pre-cut turkey breast is a nice option. This cranberry-glazed breast is delicious and simple and yet oh-so festive.
Heirloom Bean Molé with Pumpkin & Kale
For the vegetarians among you, or your guests, this chocolatey pumpkin stew is extravagant and homey at the same time. Perfect for the holiday table.
This pumpkin and chickpea soup is hearty enough to be a main dish on your Thanksgiving table.
Kaela’s Garlic-Herb Mashed Potatoes
Justifiably famous.
DESSERTS
Slightly different twist on the classic apple pie with slice ‘o cheddar.
Cherry Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dried cranberries work nicely in these biscotti as well.
A palette cleanser between the apple and pumpkin pies.
THE DAY AFTER
Easy, tasty, wholesome breakfast after the indulgence of Turkey Day.
The hint of citrus here goes a long way.
Perfect for turkey sandwiches!
Sausage, Herb & Mozzarella Bread
For the day-after lazies when you can’t even be bothered to get the turkey out of the refrigerator…
Spicy and not overly sweet, this pumpkin bread is Fall wrapped up in a neat little quickbread.
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