Keeping turkey off the menu.
Did you know about Turkey Free Thanksgiving in the US? It exists, and my family is observing is observing it this year... again.
In case it's helpful, below are the topics covered in this post:
About This Day
My Family's Thanksgiving Day Meal
What's Next?
About This Day
There is no clear origin story for why this day exists, but some speculate that it started with vegetarians, vegans, and cruelty-free advocates making a push to ban the meat on Thanksgiving Day.
For others, turkey may not be the preferred meat of the day. It is not uncommon for a household to feast on ham, chicken, duck, or beef.
For a small percentage of Americans, something bad may happen to the turkey during the preparation (e.g., overcooked, eaten by a family pet, or just plain disgusting) that results in an alternative main course dish.
Turkey is a popular main course dish of the traditional American Thanksgiving meal. However, historians at the Smithsonian believe turkey was not the main centerpiece on the first Thanksgiving table.
Two surviving documents referencing the first meals claim that four men were sent fowling in preparation of the three-day festivities between the Pilgrim and Wampanoag. Wildfowl and venison were likely some of the first meats served for years.
My Family's Thanksgiving Day Meal
My Mom, a Filipina, does not care for turkey meat or many American dishes. Unless someone else is preparing Thanksgiving dinner, turkey is not something my Mom will serve to family. She usually offers traditional Filipino dishes that she prefers.
This year, Mom is preparing two dishes for our small family group: Beef Caldereta and Enchiladas.
Caldereta (Kaldereta) is a Filipino stew. Mom makes it with beef, but it is not uncommon for Caldereta to be made with other meats like pork or goat. The stew also includes potatoes, carrots, and peas. It is typically served with white rice.
In case my niece and nephew prefer a different option for dinner, Mom also prepared Enchiladas. Despite what a lot of recipes call for, Mom does not include beans in the tortilla wraps. Still, Mom makes some tasty Enchiladas.
In addition to the main meal, Mom also prepared several pies for us to indulge ourselves with.
What's Next?
Since you may already have today's Thanksgiving Day meal planned, why not think about turkey alternative dishes you may want to have for next year's holiday? A Turkey Free Thanksgiving is an opportunity to change tradition and do something different!
Comment below to share whether you stick with the traditional turkey centerpiece or a different main course for Thanksgiving.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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