An Italian Thanksgiving

So after celebrating Thanksgiving with my family this weekend, I realized how much this holiday means to Italians even if it is an American holiday.

If you think about it, the staple of this holiday is food right? Well, Italians are known for their twists and turns on recipes and for creating new dishes, so imagine the fun they have with this holiday!

My family and I celebrated (thankfully) with a table filled with the classic dishes of turkey, stuffing,cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, but we add our own twist to the menu. We added dishes like roasted broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, salmon fillets, fresh garden salad and of course, slices of fresh Italian bread. Each dish had a splash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and was enjoyed with a nice glass of homemade red or white wine. Other dishes added to the feast normally include vegetable lasagna, stuffed shells and aside from pumpkin pie, biscotti and pizzelles usually find their way to the table.

I couldn't help but enjoy this beautiful meal and think of all the extra traditions we've added to this holiday. I am grateful for the feast we enjoyed, grateful for the people around me and grateful that I was able to spend this holiday celebrating like an Italian-American.

Aside from families enjoying homecooked Italian food, others in the city were able to too. Portofino Restaurant on 12 and Walnut in Philadelphia graciously brought warm meals to the hungry in the city.

Thanksgiving 2009 definitely lived up to being a day of giving and a day of thanks.

Does your family have any traditions they add to Thanksgiving or to holidays during this holiday season?