The True Meaning of Thanksgiving… Gone Vegetarian?

The thought of shoving a Thanksgiving turkey into this oven gave me shivers:

So you know what?  I didn’t make one for our Sunday Thanksgiving in Berlin.  In fact, we fed ten people and didn’t have any meat at all.  I know, I know.  Sound the Thanksgiving police alarms.  What kind of Americans skip turkey at their own Thanksgiving party?

I guess… us.  We completely messed with this tradition, but it was during this vegetarian meal with ten friends and family members from around the world that we truly felt the meaning of Thanksgiving.  And it had nothing to do with cranberry sauce or turkey.

Thanksgiving is pretty much the only American holiday that focuses solely around gathering with family and friends.  There are no presents and costumes to distract our attention away from people.  We dine together without the rush of the Next Activity, and I never truly realized how beautiful the feeling is of a holiday that focuses around the dinner table until now in Germany.

I kept a list of things to take care of, just as so many of you suggested. (thank you, thank you!) And then when the time for our party approached, I kicked back just like you said.  I imagine the lack of turkey-cooking-stress had a lot to do with it.  Vegetarian Thanksgivings aren’t all that hard.  One guest told me, “I don’t even miss having the turkey,” and she wasn’t even one of the vegetarians.  (big grin)  There are so many side dishes and other foods available at Thanksgiving that I don’t think anyone missed it.  Plus we had no room on our countertop, anyway!

Where’s the turkey?

Tomorrow, I’ll slip you a few of the most popular recipes from our party.  I know it’s probably a bit late for all of you preparing for Thanksgiving parties of your own.  But the lovely ladies at our party made everything from SCRATCH.  We had no option of pre-made pies from the store or mushroom soup for green bean casserole.  Those things don’t exist in Germany.  And at least all of us are anxious for the know-how secrets of making stuff without all the (not-always-so-healthy) shortcuts.

So stay tuned!  Meanwhile, do tell… what are your favorite recipes at Thanksgiving?  And maybe a tad more important to us this year… are you loving the idea of a holiday centered around the table as much as us?

(Images from Making This Home and The Akumalian)