Thanksgiving was a holiday celebrated originally by the colonists after the first harvest in the New World. Today, it remains an integral part of American culture, and an absolute treat for food lovers. Traditionally, Thanksgiving dishes included recipes like turkey, corn, ham, yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. But since people from across the world inhabit the United States today, Thanksgiving recipes are also more varied. Here are eleven Thanksgiving recipes from around the world.Jamaican Curried Goat
For those who want try recipes that do not involve turkey, the delicious Jamaican curried goat is the dish for you. It may even be the healthier option because goat contains less fat than beef and skinless chicken. Remember to start preparing this dish in advance since the recipe involves cooking the goat at a low temperature in order for the flesh to retain its tenderness and flavor.
Jamaican curried goat is a spicy dish and those with delicate taste buds may find it too strong for their liking. But if you like spicy food, then go ahead and buy some cubed goat leg meet. The other ingredients you will require include shredded coconut, curry powder, sour cream, peppers, arrowroot, red currant jelly and some clarified butter. Combining all these ingredients creates a delicious curry sauce in which the goat can be marinated or cooked.
Curry dishes in Jamaica came from the island’s Indian population. After the abolishment of slavery, a large number of Indians came to work on plantations and over time intermarried with the rest of the population. Today, Jamaica’s Indian population is small, but their influence is evident in the island’s cuisine with dishes such as this one.
Salata de Varza
The Romanian style coleslaw, called Salata de Varza, is a great accompaniment to a Thanksgiving spread. A light addition to the Thanksgiving meal, Salata de Varza does not overwhelm the meal and is also quite similar to American coleslaw for guests who would like their meal to feel familiar. The salad is easy to prepare and doesn’t require any cooking in the oven like most traditional dishes. It is different from American slaws in that it doesn’t have any mayonnaise or sugar, both common ingredients in coleslaw.
Consisting of cabbage, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper, the Romanian Salata de Varza enhances the flavor of cabbage instead of masking it. This also makes it healthier while still being delicious. Salata de Varza also doesn’t contain any carrots or raisins. To make this dish, grate or slice the cabbage and combine it with lemon juice or vinegar, oil, and seasoning. Blend everything together and serve. There are variations of this dish and some recipes call for carrots or even apples to lend the slaw a sweet flavor. For a savorier version, add onion or mustard, or spices like caraway seeds.
Greek Turkey Meatballs
The turkey has always been an important component of a Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is also sometimes popularly known as ‘Turkey Day’. For those who can’t bear to give up turkey, but still crave something different, here’s a recipe that’s made for you. Of the many turkey meatball variations, Greek Turkey meatballs are among the most popular. It’s also a fun recipe that can be made with the kids. The best part of the dish is that apart from being scrumptious, they are also good for you. Turkey is a healthier substitute to beef, which is used in a number of recipes like meatloaf, burgers and tacos.
Turkey is rich in protein, niacin, selenium and the B vitamins. Protein helps keep the tissues, cells, hormone and organs in good condition, while the B vitamins help in blood circulation and regulation of cholesterol levels. Turkey also has a lower saturated fat content and cholesterol. The herbs used in Greek turkey meatballs such as oregano and cumin have their own healthy properties. For instance, oregano strengthens the immune system and reduced inflammation, while cumin aids in digestion. Tzatziki sauce is served along with the meatballs. This yoghurt-based sauce is full of healthy probiotics that boost immunity.
Doro Watt
Doro Watt is a traditional Ethiopian dish and a type of stew that’s just perfect for a cold Thanksgiving Day. It is similar to American stews in texture and appearance, but a whole lot spicier. The recipe requires chicken, hard boiled eggs, chicken stock, dry red wine, lemon, cardamom, butter and chili powder. You can also use beef instead of chicken. The stew is traditionally made very spicy, but most western adaptations keep the spice levels lower. Doro Watt is usually served with injera, an Ethiopian flatbread. This bread is like a spongy pancake that is made from teff flour, a grain that is indigenous to the region. The batter is kept to ferment for up to 4 days before it is used in cooking. The injera also takes the place of an eating utensil and can be used to scoop up the stew.
Doro Watt is also found in many Ethiopian restaurants and is hugely popular in African cuisine. The key to a delicious and authentic Doro Watt is the berbere, a spice mixture consisting of chili peppers, ginger, garlic, basil and other spices. Doro Watt has a long cooking time but it’s worth the wait because the slow-cooked onions lend the dish a delectable taste.
Lasagna
Italian cooking is famed around the world. It is especially popular in the United States where an Italian eatery can be found on every corner. A popular dish in Italian cooking is lasagna. It is a great addition to a Thanksgiving meal too. The principal ingredients for making this dish include Italian sausage and cheeses such as ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan. You will also need a homemade tomato sauce, which helps create an authentic dish. Thanksgiving lasagna can be made with ground turkey. You can also add other ingredients such as spinach. Make sure to cover the dish with aluminum foil as it keeps the food moist and ensures even cooking. It can also help keep leftovers fresh and makes it easy to clean the pan after the meal.
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin is a fall classic and a popular ingredient in Thanksgiving meals. Curried Pumpkin Soup is a unique twist on a traditional recipe. It is a light, yet creamy soup that has some complex flavor combinations, but is really easy to prepare. It is also not too filling and is a great side dish that can accompany the richer main course dishes.
To make curried pumpkin soup, you will need onions, unsalted butter, garlic, fresh ginger, and spices such as coriander, cumin and cardamom, salt and some dried hot red pepper flakes. The star of the recipe is pumpkin, of course, and along with that you will need some chicken broth, olive oil, and brown mustard seeds and curry leaves, which will lend the soup its distinctive curry flavor. The onions and spices need to be cooked for a couple of minutes, before the pumpkin, broth and coconut milk are added. After pureeing the soup, the mustard seeds and curry leaves are sautéed for some seconds and the mixture is added to the soup.
Couscous
Couscous is easy to make and is also a dynamic ingredient that can be adapted in a number of ways. Couscous is a grain that has a similar taste and texture as that of pasta, and like pasta, it also made from semolina (which is durum wheat in a granular form). While grains used to make pasta are ground, couscous is made from grains that are crushed. Couscous is usually served as a side dish or even added on top of larger meals. It is a staple food in North African cuisines and is widely used in countries such as Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya. Couscous can be used as stuffing in Thanksgiving cooking by combining it with rice or potatoes, nuts and dried cranberries.
Couscous can also be combined with other traditional stuffing ingredients such as onions, celery, carrot, dried apricots, apple, and fresh herbs such as thyme, sage, rosemary and parsley. Roasted almonds can also be used to complement the couscous stuffing. Couscous makes for an excellent alternative to the traditional bread stuffing used in Thanksgiving turkeys.
Pea soup
While the holidays are a time for gift giving or family time around the world, in Sweden it’s food that takes center stage. Instead of turkey, the Swedes eat pea soup on Thanksgiving Day. Pea soup, or Ärtsoppa, usually has sausage or ham in it. It is served along with mustard, which must be stirred in. Pea soup is traditionally eaten with Swedish pancakes, which are thinner than regular pancakes. They are fluffier than crepes, but thin enough to be folded. The pancakes, topped with fruit preserves and whipped cream, are served alongside the pea soup.
The Swedish dried pea soup is a hearty, warming recipe made from dried yellow peas. It is customary to also serve pea soup on Thursdays, a tradition that dates back to hundreds of years at a time when the country had a large Catholic population, who fasted on Fridays, and therefore needed to eat a big, wholesome meal the day before.
Turkey with mole sauce
Regarded as Mexico’s national dish, Turkey with mole sauce is a great way to add some spice to a Thanksgiving meal. Mole refers to a number of sauces that are used in Mexican cuisine. But outside of Mexico, mole refers mainly to mole poblano. Moles can be prepared with different ingredients and flavors, but all use chili peppers as one of the main ingredients. Mole poblano is a dark red or brown sauce made with different types of chili peppers such as ancho, multao, pasilla and chipotle. Some of the other ingredients used are spices such as cumin, anise, cloves, and tomatoes, garlic, dried fruit and sesame seeds. Chocolate is added towards the end of cooking, and this gives the sauce its characteristic rich color, and also balances the heat arising from the chili peppers. The sauce is then served over the turkey. This dish is often served at weddings and birthdays.
Embutido
Embutido is a type of meatloaf that is served during the holidays in the Philippines. The original version is made from ground pork, but turkey, which is a healthier alternative, can also be used. Embutido is a popular dish during the holidays. This dish differs from other meatloaf recipes in that it is rolled into the shape of a log and baked or steamed in cheesecloth or foil, unlike the American-style meatloaf, which is baked in a loaf pan. The manner of cooking may date back to the times when Embutido was made from ground meat that was stuffed into big hog casings, like a large sausage. Embutido is also different from regular meatloaf recipes because it is usually stuffed with whole hard-boiled eggs and whole hotdogs. When eaten cold, it serves as an appetizer, and when eaten warm, it serves as a hearty main dish, usually eaten with rice.
Baklava
The Mediterranean treat called Baklava is a dish that originated in the cuisine of the former Ottoman Empire. It is popular in central and west Asia. Baklava is a type of sweet pastry that consists of layers of filo filled with nuts and sweetened with honey. The pastry layers are soaked in butter and spices, and the entire pastry is baked and drenched in sweet syrup that seeps through all the layers. Since the flavors of Baklava are not too overpowering, it makes an ideal complement to a Thanksgiving menu. Baklava does take some time to prepare and it may help to do a few trial runs before you serve it at Thanksgiving.