The Thanksgiving Feast: A Brief History
Hello, everybody!
Well, this is it. This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving. I hope all of you have gotten all the fixings for your big feast, just as my family has. Of course, as we all know, the main guest of honor is gonna be old Tom (or Tina) Turkey him (or her)self, and who, more likely, will be making a return appearance on the table at Christmastime.
Speaking of which, I would like to take this short time to speak about the two main foods that are so closely associated with the winter holiday seasons: turkey and cranberries. First, the star of the show. The turkey has become the second national bird (after the eagle) because it's a native to America (just like the eagle). Matter of fact, Benjamin Franklin had recommended that the turkey be our national symbol, but, of course, the eagle won out. The main reason why it became the national Thanksgiving and Christmas symbol is, at the time of the country's founding, it was plentiful and easy to catch for dinner (it still is), only this time, in the 21st Century, the easiest thing you can do is order a turkey at your local supermarket or over the Internet instead of going out in the cold with your shotgun.
The supporting performer, the cranberry, is a native to America, too. It's a holiday favorite because, like the pumpkin and sweet potato, there's an abundance of them during the harvest season right before the winter months, although now, thanks to food processing and the ability to refrigerate and freeze, their products are available practically year round. There's many ways to prepare and serve this versatile, and highly healthful, berry: in sauces, in juices, and served whole (fresh or dried) in salads. Yes, sir, those are the primary reasons why the turkey and the cranberry have the come to two main sidekicks at the end of the year holiday season. Thank you, Buterball and Ocean Spray.
Well, that's all the time we have for this week. Until next time, be well, stay well, and remember the earthquake survivors!
Sincerely,
Marley Sue
Well, this is it. This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving. I hope all of you have gotten all the fixings for your big feast, just as my family has. Of course, as we all know, the main guest of honor is gonna be old Tom (or Tina) Turkey him (or her)self, and who, more likely, will be making a return appearance on the table at Christmastime.
Speaking of which, I would like to take this short time to speak about the two main foods that are so closely associated with the winter holiday seasons: turkey and cranberries. First, the star of the show. The turkey has become the second national bird (after the eagle) because it's a native to America (just like the eagle). Matter of fact, Benjamin Franklin had recommended that the turkey be our national symbol, but, of course, the eagle won out. The main reason why it became the national Thanksgiving and Christmas symbol is, at the time of the country's founding, it was plentiful and easy to catch for dinner (it still is), only this time, in the 21st Century, the easiest thing you can do is order a turkey at your local supermarket or over the Internet instead of going out in the cold with your shotgun.
The supporting performer, the cranberry, is a native to America, too. It's a holiday favorite because, like the pumpkin and sweet potato, there's an abundance of them during the harvest season right before the winter months, although now, thanks to food processing and the ability to refrigerate and freeze, their products are available practically year round. There's many ways to prepare and serve this versatile, and highly healthful, berry: in sauces, in juices, and served whole (fresh or dried) in salads. Yes, sir, those are the primary reasons why the turkey and the cranberry have the come to two main sidekicks at the end of the year holiday season. Thank you, Buterball and Ocean Spray.
Well, that's all the time we have for this week. Until next time, be well, stay well, and remember the earthquake survivors!
Sincerely,
Marley Sue
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