A family feast: saffron for Thanksgiving

After Valentine’s Day and Halloween, Thanksgiving slowly spreads over to us from the U.S. – coming very soon on November 27th! It’s similar to our harvest festival but is celebrated differently. While crops and vegetables are used for decorations and harvest church services are held, Thanksgiving in the US is above all a big family gathering. Everyone is getting together at the table to devour a turkey. Served with (sweet potatoes), cranberry sauce, vegetables as well as apple and pumpkin cake. Yummy!

For those who don’t eat meat, can still enjoy their thanksgiving turkey. Even the US president, who is traditionally served a turkey, usually pardons the turkeys. Now there are great vegetarian alternatives: “Tofurkey” for instance, which can be bought at vegan online shops or maybe at health food shops. Or else you form a veggie turkey from 800 grams tofu or seitan and 40 grams starch yourself.

If you’re looking for an easier option, get a veggie “roast” and stuff it just like a turkey – with sage, marjoram, maple syrup, onion, apple, celeriac, leeks, fennel, pepper and salt. For the turkey glazing, a mixture of soy sauce, Miso and sesame oil with mustard and some maple syrup can be used. Serve with cranberry sauce. Saffron rice or saffron pasta go brilliantly with it too.

More great ideas for side dishes such as the savoury chestnut walnut terrine and fine Thanksgiving soups are here. Or how about a warming sweet corn or pepper soup with saffron or a fresh pear salad with a saffron dressing on the side? Get inspired by our recipes! But why turkey on Thanksgiving? In the US, this tradition goes back to the pioneer life of the Pilgrim Fathers; those are said to have eaten turkey for Thanksgiving back then. The first Thanksgiving took place in 1541 in Texas.

Thanksgiving: A tradition that we’re happy to take over, aren’t we? We wish you a delicious feast with friends and family.