Thanksgiving brings together family and friends over dishes like buttery mashed potatoes and sweet pumpkin pie. This year, add these international flavors to your Thanksgiving traditions and celebrate with diversity on your table.
The popular story of the first Thanksgiving tells of Native Americans and Pilgrims coming together to share the bounty of harvest. Over a feast, people of different cultures and beliefs celebrated together.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday. According to State Representative, Wayne Rosenthal, this was the result of a campaign by Godey’s Lady’s Book to promote unity during the midst of the American Civil War.
Today, Thanksgiving remains a time to come together. It is the busiest travel week of the year, notes the United States Embassy, as families travel across the world to be together. Friendsgiving, feasts on college campuses and celebrations for members of the armed forces stationed abroad bring together those who may not be able to spend time with family over the holiday.
With more people celebrating Thanksgiving from several diverse cultures, new traditions are becoming more common at the holiday table. Turkey, stuffing and pie remain Thanksgiving favorites, but international dishes and flavors are also more at home on a modern Thanksgiving table. This year, bring these global twists to Thanksgiving dinner and celebrate coming together through food.
Thanksgiving traditions around the world
Many countries celebrate their own Thanksgiving holiday. Initially, these holidays began as harvest celebrations, says GoAbroad, giving thanks for a bountiful harvest much as America’s first Thanksgiving did. In the years since, these celebrations have taken on their own unique traditions.
For example, in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, people celebrate Erntedankfest on the first Sunday of October. Religious services and lantern parades accompany this holiday. “Mohnstriezel” — a sweet bread with poppy seeds — is a popular treat during the festivities.
Malaysians celebrate Kadazan in May to honor the sacrifice of the goddess Huminodun, whose death provided for an abundant rice harvest. Their celebration is filled with feasting, rice wine, games and music.
Ghanaians celebrate “Homowo” — meaning hooting at hunger — to honor those who died in a historic famine, usher in a bountiful harvest and celebrate the arrival of the new year in Ghana. The people prepare “kpokpoi,” a dish made of corn meal, palm oil and seasonings. In addition to eating kpokpoi, local chiefs sprinkle it around the town as an offering.
These traditions and dishes, as well as those from other countries, can be a fun addition to your own Thanksgiving celebrations. Adding African, Asian and European food, and other cuisines to your menu is a great way to learn more about other cultures or welcome an international guest with a taste of home.
Global twists on the main dish
At an American Thanksgiving, turkey is often the main dish of choice. Many traditional recipes call for baking, roasting, frying or even smoking the turkey, often with fresh herbs, salt, pepper and vegetables for flavor.
But turkey’s mild taste also makes it a perfect dish for more adventurous flavors. Jamaican jerk turkey combines spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves with herbs and chili for a warm and flavorful dish. Alternatively, a turkey marinade with Chinese five-spice powder — cinnamon, cloves, star anise, fennel and Sichuan peppers — infuses your turkey with fall flavors and a bit of heat.
These marinades are an exciting way to introduce global flavors, but they are only the beginning. Earthy za’atar seasoning from the Middle East, a warm berbere spice blend from Ethiopia or bright herbs de Provence from France can all be inventive additions to turkey.
Turkey mole combines mole, the national dish of Mexico, with your turkey for a rich, chili flavor. Make your own mole or purchase a high-quality sauce to add to roast turkey. You can also try pavo a la brasa, a twist on Peruvian roasted chicken, by marinating your turkey with a sauce with cumin, paprika and other aromatics.
Exotic sides and desserts to expand your Thanksgiving menu
Side dishes and desserts are a great way to introduce global influences to a feast with plenty of room for experimenting. Try spicing up traditional sides with international ingredients. Adding shishito peppers to green beans gives the veggies a Japanese flair or you can switch out the sweet potatoes for a delicious yam casserole.
International sides can also bring a nice contrast to common Thanksgiving foods. A Korean cucumber salad is refreshing, spicy and tangy. With a mild heat from the gochugaru pepper flakes, the salad makes a great starter or palette cleanser between courses.
Vegetable korma is a flavorful way to serve veggies at your meal, infusing Thanksgiving with Indian spices. The creamy cashew, yogurt and coconut milk sauce with the korma goes great over turkey and potatoes.
For dessert, bring a twist to classics with pumpkin empanadas or baklava filled with walnuts for a nutty treat. Other exotic desserts, like Chinese moon cakes or melomakarona from Cyprus, both traditional holiday desserts, are great at an American Thanksgiving as well.
Flavorful condiments with international flair
Cranberry sauce and gravy are Thanksgiving staples. This year, add interest with a variety of condiments. Salsa Lizano, a sauce made with vegetables, cumin and pepper, is a Costa Rican condiment that is perfect on the table or in a rice and bean dish like gallo pinto.
Asian flavors like sriracha or gochujang give a delightful spice to meat and vegetables. Indian mango chutney or the Georgian plum sauce tkemali are sweet alternatives to cranberry sauce.
Serve these condiments alongside the Thanksgiving meal and let your guests tailor their plates to their liking. These are also a great way to spruce up your leftovers.
Bringing it all together at the table
Whether you look forward to visiting with family or enjoying your favorite foods at Thanksgiving, mixing up your menu with international flavors will make for a memorable holiday. Begin with these ideas or explore dishes from cultures that are meaningful to your guests. You might even start some new Thanksgiving traditions to celebrate for years to come.
Kristen Wood is a photographer, food writer, recipe developer and creator of MOON and spoon and yum. She is also the author of “Vegetarian Family Cookbook,” “Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook” and “Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners.” Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including NBC, Seattle Times, Elle, Martha Stewart, Forbes, Chicago Sun-Times and more.