Gobbling It Up: Culinary Websites and OCU Students Embrace New Thanksgiving Meal Traditions

Though turkey and stuffing might remain standard fair for millions of Americans on Thanksgiving Day, a growing number of families are beginning new holiday food traditions.

The number of families not indulging in turkey dinners has risen in recent years: last year, 12% of families chose alternative routes for their feasts.

This shift can be explained, in part, by America’s new-found fascination with health food diets.  From gluten-free to vegan to paleo, the number of specialty food diets is continually expanding. Followers of these meal plans can find daily dining troublesome, but facing a traditional meal like Thanksgiving dinner with dietary restrictions can seem a daunting task.

Happily, a widening variety of options are available for those looking to celebrate Turkey Day, sans turkey. Websites like Bon Appetit and Food Network have released Thanksgiving menus focused around vegetarian, paleo, and gluten-free options, nestled amongst the more traditional fare.

For the first time this fall, Food and Wine, an eminent culinary publication, introduced a “vegetarian gourmet Thanksgiving” meal planning tool on their website, featuring fancy dishes catering to those who desire a vegetable-laden celebration, without sacrificing taste.

Kate Robison, acting junior, said that her family has a long-standing tradition of a vegan Thanksgiving meal.

“We have a turkey every year, but we also have a tradition of vegan side dishes, to accommodate my cousin and her family,” Robison said. “My family has gotten relatively good at coming up with vegan substitutes to our favorite recipes.”

Beyond the realm of dietary restrictions, many families use Thanksgiving to celebrate unique aspects of their cultural heritage. For some, this is as simple as including a side dish or dessert inspired by family tradition. But for others, the entire Thanksgiving meal focuses around a celebration of nationality.

Alanna Trivelli, political science and history senior, said that her family takes advantage of the holiday to celebrate their Italian heritage through food.

“My family is huge and Italian, so every year we have a giant pasta feast of every pasta you could imagine,” Trivelli said. “My entire family comes together. It’s a tradition that we’ve followed as long as I can remember, and I love it. It’s a chance for us to celebrate our family and where we come from.”

While some Americans lean towards non-traditional meals for more serious reasons, there has also been a recent rebellion against the more formal style of the typical turkey feast.

Many families spend their Thanksgiving Days feasting on pizza, Chinese food, or other quick options that don’t require a day slaving over the stove and cleaning up the kitchen. National restaurant and grocery chains are picking up on the trend: this year, mainstays like Whole Foods and Costco will be offering full take out Thanksgiving dinners for a set price.

Food Network Magazine has picked up on this trend as well. While their website offers up the traditional lists of turkey cooking options and familiar side dishes, two popular new categories have been added. The “Fastest Ever Thanksgiving” section details shortcuts towards making a full, traditional Thanksgiving feast, while the “Thanksgiving On the Road” option features articles on quick dishes that are easily transportable, for a more eclectic movable feast.

Websites and food publications are also beginning to introduce the idea of Thanksgiving cooking as entertainment. Saveur, a gourmet meal-planning site, has unveiled a new “Thanksgiving Menu Generator,” which operates slot-machine style: simply enter the types of food items you’re looking for (main dish, side, drinks, or desserts), and the generator will randomly assemble the perfect Thanksgiving meal plan for your table.

Whether you plan on spending the holiday over a candlelit dinner, or curled up on the couch with finger foods, today’s popular food websites are serving up a broader array of Thanksgiving options than ever before. The message from many students is clear as well: don’t be afraid to try something new this Thanksgiving.

Links to New Traditions:

Bon Appetit’s Thanksgiving page can be found here

Food and Wine’s Ultimate Thanksgiving Alternatives feature can be found here

Food Network’s features on non-traditional Thanksgivings can be found here

Saveur’s Thanksgiving slot machine meal generator can be found here