Today is thanksgiving in the US. It's a pretty strange day for someone not being from the US but a welcome day off from work and and an excuse to eat if nothing more. The food is pretty much a variation on the Sunday roast/Christmas dinner we all know and love in the UK, except with more American foods like sweet potatoes. The nice thing is that the build up to Christmas is not as visible as in the UK, so it's not saturated. Here are my experiences of two different thanksgivings.
My first was an annual bash put on by Andy as a pre-thanksgiving warm up before people head home for the holidays. It is also known as Turkeyfest. I was going to paraphrase the invite but it's quite funny so I shall post it:
Hello all,
The holidays are upon us. There is no better way to start the season that with deep fried turkeys (yes, plural), casserole as far as the eye can see, and desserts from pillars of the Triangle baking community.
It is time once again for the annual Thanksgiving gathering at the HQ II. For those new to the event, it promises gluttony, good times, and some of the most intense dining you can imagine. For those that were here last year, we're looking to break the record which means six turkeys over the course of the afternoon. In addition, if Luke shows up, we'll have at least two Indians, adding to the overall authenticity.
For those of you can make it, the rules are simple:
1. RSVP ASAP with what you are planning on bringing, anything from full turkeys to cranberry riddy to halloween cookies, we've seen it all. We'll have the deep fryer and a grill for use for those that want to cook another turkey and/or twinkies. We'll also have 2 turkeys, 1 oven roasted and 1 deep fried, and enough canned cranberry sauce for half of Marc.
2. Be creative, be generous, but don't be the napkin guy. Multiples of the same dish are fine, but please use common sense if there are already 3 green bean casseroles coming.
3. The event is socialist in nature, so overt sassiness regarding portion sizes is not acceptable.
4. We've finally removed "the beast" from the last party so let's not have that happen again.
5. While Helen [Andy's car] is a part of the family, she's not allowed to eat people food.
Feel free to bring significant others and the inevitable people who should have been on the guest list. We hope to see you all there, food/drink in tow.
It was great fun, in the end there was 5 turkeys and a Turducken (turkey-duck-chicken) all in one. Deep-fried WHOLE turkey is interesting! To say the least. It does taste good but it doesn't half spit when you put it in the fryer. All in all it was a good day out, the weather was fantastic so we could all sit out side, chat, watch the world go by, throw the American football about etc. I was so surprised at the quality of the food. Most of it was homemade and it was great. Also I found out if you try and deep-fry a turducken they do an alien chest burster impression except with birds and hot oil. I am going to try that one day, well maybe.
My thanksgiving today was a pleasant surprise. I felt bad for turning down LAM!LAM!'s thanksgiving bash but I had to study and go to bed early. I was just going to cook myself a little Sunday Lunch type affair. My landlord came round and asked if I wanted to come round to his, as his wife was away. So I got some turkey after all, and a chat with my landlord. It was a nice day, and I get to go to bed early. Boo. Hopefully I will be around next year for more festive fun.
PS just found this video, it's a quick tour of the Raleigh/Durham area.
My first was an annual bash put on by Andy as a pre-thanksgiving warm up before people head home for the holidays. It is also known as Turkeyfest. I was going to paraphrase the invite but it's quite funny so I shall post it:
Hello all,
The holidays are upon us. There is no better way to start the season that with deep fried turkeys (yes, plural), casserole as far as the eye can see, and desserts from pillars of the Triangle baking community.
It is time once again for the annual Thanksgiving gathering at the HQ II. For those new to the event, it promises gluttony, good times, and some of the most intense dining you can imagine. For those that were here last year, we're looking to break the record which means six turkeys over the course of the afternoon. In addition, if Luke shows up, we'll have at least two Indians, adding to the overall authenticity.
For those of you can make it, the rules are simple:
1. RSVP ASAP with what you are planning on bringing, anything from full turkeys to cranberry riddy to halloween cookies, we've seen it all. We'll have the deep fryer and a grill for use for those that want to cook another turkey and/or twinkies. We'll also have 2 turkeys, 1 oven roasted and 1 deep fried, and enough canned cranberry sauce for half of Marc.
2. Be creative, be generous, but don't be the napkin guy. Multiples of the same dish are fine, but please use common sense if there are already 3 green bean casseroles coming.
3. The event is socialist in nature, so overt sassiness regarding portion sizes is not acceptable.
4. We've finally removed "the beast" from the last party so let's not have that happen again.
5. While Helen [Andy's car] is a part of the family, she's not allowed to eat people food.
Feel free to bring significant others and the inevitable people who should have been on the guest list. We hope to see you all there, food/drink in tow.
It was great fun, in the end there was 5 turkeys and a Turducken (turkey-duck-chicken) all in one. Deep-fried WHOLE turkey is interesting! To say the least. It does taste good but it doesn't half spit when you put it in the fryer. All in all it was a good day out, the weather was fantastic so we could all sit out side, chat, watch the world go by, throw the American football about etc. I was so surprised at the quality of the food. Most of it was homemade and it was great. Also I found out if you try and deep-fry a turducken they do an alien chest burster impression except with birds and hot oil. I am going to try that one day, well maybe.
My thanksgiving today was a pleasant surprise. I felt bad for turning down LAM!LAM!'s thanksgiving bash but I had to study and go to bed early. I was just going to cook myself a little Sunday Lunch type affair. My landlord came round and asked if I wanted to come round to his, as his wife was away. So I got some turkey after all, and a chat with my landlord. It was a nice day, and I get to go to bed early. Boo. Hopefully I will be around next year for more festive fun.
PS just found this video, it's a quick tour of the Raleigh/Durham area.
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