Holiday Traditions Thanksgiving Feast

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

For the holiday season, we would like to make a tribute to both my mother and Paula’s mother and to pay honor to both in the traditions and spectacular foods that were part of our lives and remain as our strived for traditions. Although both of our mothers are no longer with us, the treasured traditions they created for us we carry within our hearts. 

The holiday season becomes a reminder of the deep family and holiday traditions that our Italian mothers treasured us with over the years. Holiday food and family stories go together. Most of us can think of a holiday food and smile as most take us back to a time with our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and to our parent’s house. When we are asked about our favorite holiday memories, most answers that pop out of our mouths are food related. Why? Because food elicits memories! 

Both mine and Paula’s mothers were the masters of their kitchens. The planning of the holidays’ included making the traditions. In many of my past stories, I have written about the cooking prowess of my Italian mother, reflecting on her near magical ability to conjure up enough food to feed 15 people on regular Sunday supper. This was certainly the case with planning holiday meals. Starting the holiday season was the grandeur of the Thanksgiving feast. Paula and I were not raised with the traditional Thanksgiving, In the Italian household, the visions of roasted turkeys, stuffing and mashed potatoes dancing in our heads as we prepare for the carb overload of a dinner served at 3 p.m. was not the tradition we grew up with. What we considered as a normal holiday offering turned out to be rather strange to some, but is beloved to us. 

Growing up in an Italian-American household, it was not uncommon to think that pasta had to be part of all Thanksgiving meals. The Thanksgiving Lasagna was part of the multiple course meal that would come BEFORE the turkey.  Of course, we needed to begin our Thanksgiving feast with the antipasti that included a few types of salami, cheese, olives, spreads, and crackers and you are good to go. This encouraged everyone to try something new while also working as a great conversation starter surrounding what everything is. Many Italian families also include soups during this Thanksgiving antipasti course—like Italian wedding soup or tortellini en brodo. 

Let’s not forget the desserts. Though it might seem impossible that anyone is still hungry after all of the amazing foods for the holidays, dessert is just as important as the meal itself. And while Italian-Americans bring plenty of pies to both holiday affairs and the traditional Italian desserts that provided a sweet end to the eating festivities. It would not be an eating event without some strong espresso amped up with Sambuca. 

As I tell these stories, there are so many memories of my big Italian family making food and carrying the traditions that I hold dear in my heart. Take time to enjoy the holidays. I do miss the days celebrating with a large family but grateful for the many good times and traditions that our mothers brought to our lives. 

This holiday season, stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, NY. What can be better than family and friends coming together to eat something delicious that you’ve eaten together for years? Sometimes the unitedness comes in the preparations, sometimes it comes in the eating of the holiday food and sometimes it proves to be a catalyst to bring new friends and family into the fold. It is important for families to carry on the traditions. That is really what keeps us together. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.

Take Care,
John & Paula