Thanksgiving with Shenanchie: Seasonal tips, recipes & resources

Throughout the long web history of Savorys by Shenanchie there was never an offering of tips, recipes or resources about the American tradition known as Thanksgiving. Even though Savorys by Shenanchie closed two years ago, I decided to remedy that unfortunate state of affairs with the presentation of this humble but often informative bit titled Thanksgiving with Shenanchie.

Falling at the end of November every year, the day is regarded as a feast of plenty and an excuse for the majority of the male population to plunk down in front of the television and watch a football game. Most of us also know the holiday was never founded with that notion in mind, but rather as a tribute and appreciation for the pilgrims in the New World. After a hard and devastating first year in the New World, the Pilgrim's autumn harvest was very successful and plentiful in 1621. There was corn, fruits, vegetables, along with fish packed in salt, and meat that was smoked-cured over fires. A day of thanksgiving was proclaimed that was to be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians.

The custom of celebrating every year after the harvest continued. During the American Revolution a day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 the state of New York adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a national day of thanksgiving. Since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually designating the fourth Thursday of each November as the holiday.

However this is not a history lesson but rather a culinary adventure littered with recipes, traditions, tips and links to even more lore about the glorious holiday dubbed Thanksgiving.

Feast your eyes and get ready for the season.

Next: Getting Ready for the Day >