Thanksgiving is a day filled with laughter, love, giving thanks, and food. Not only do you share this day with people you love, but with the traditions you're accustomed to. See if any of these regions share similar traditions with your family.
California and Hawaii traditions
In California and in Hawaii, the locals really know how to appreciate fresh seafood, surfing and grilling out. Californians prefer their turkey grilled. Because of the beautiful weather, grilling out with friends and family only makes sense in order to have some fun in the sun. Bobby Flay truly is the grill master and has a simple grilled turkey recipe that only requires kosher salt, light brown sugar, recommended fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or bay leaf), and options onions and garlic for an extra boost of flavor, and, of course, a turkey. Simply follow his step-by-step grilling instructions and you will please your guests with a mouth-watering, uncommon turkey treat. California's fellow sun loving friend, Hawaii likes to add fresh octopus to their Thanksgiving green beans. Hawaii also has hotter weather, unlike the usual snow or colder weather in the rest of the country, so the state likes to add a Pacific flare to their Turkey Day. Food and Wine has this octopus salad with potatoes and green beans covered. The recipe says to boil an onion, carrots, some celery and a bay leaf, and then simmer the octopus in this flavorful water. Be sure to watch a YouTube video on how to properly clean and cut octopus. Cook the beans for roughly five minutes, and the Yukon potatoes for about a half hour. Lastly, combine the octopus, green beans, and potatoes, adding in some garlic, parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy this fresh side dish.
The southerners and their deep-fried turkey
Down in Dixie, southerners know that fried food is the most comforting food. Who better to ask about how to fry turkey than the queen of butter, Paula Deen, herself? In order to fry a turkey, one must be extremely careful, and put the exact amount of oil needed in the fryer, so there isn't a fire. After being extremely careful preparing the fryer, make a Paula Deen seasoning - salt, pepper, and garlic powder. After cleaning your turkey inside and out and letting him dry out for a bit, rub him with the seasoning, and place him in the fryer bath. Everyone will love a perfectly seasoned, fried turkey along with southern classic sides like homemade cornbread or rolls, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing and some creamed spinach. The South is hospitable to all folks, so come on down for a true, southern Thanksgiving.
New England's stuffed lobster and oyster stuffing
Mainers loves lobster, and New Englanders, in general, love their oysters. So, it only makes sense that a Mainer would stuff their lobster with stuffing, and any New Englander would stuff their stuffing with fresh oysters. Check out Food and Wine's oyster stuffing recipe, and ask a New Englander how to properly stuff a fresh lobster. Head over to the North for some good 'ole seafood inspired sides to a Northern Thanksgiving meal. Don't forget a sweater and a smile, and you're bound to have a "wicked" time.
Thanksgiving is an American holiday that brings people together, and starts the holiday season with a bang. Enjoy every second of it, and appreciate the people and food in front of you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving, and end of Fall.
