Our non-traditional turkey-free Thanksgiving
One would think there is nothing easier than creating a Thanksgiving menu. Hasn't it been created by many generations before us already? And practiced year over year to perfection? Not if you have a small but very diverse group of people, comprised of gluten- and dairy-free eaters, those following keto diet and vegetarians. On top of that, they don't care much about eating turkey. What do you do then? Turn on your creativity and make a buffet-style dinner where everyone can find something that works for them! I hope this post can provide you with some ideas for your next big holiday menu.
Our Thanksgiving feast approach
First of all, given wide variety of diets and food restrictions in the group we agreed to have our Thanksgiving dinner buffet-style. Secondly, although small, our group was quite international. And we realized that none of us really cared much about eating turkey. So instead we decided to have a roast, as well as some pumpkin soup, salad and plenty of side dishes in our buffet. We thought that as long as we had enough food options, everybody would find something to satisfy their needs and tastes. As for the dessert, we didn't have a specific plan and just thought that anyone could contribute the way they wanted.
What could you find on our Thanksgiving buffet menu
Although we had quite some laughs about the diversity of our group, our Thanksgiving meal selection did not disappoint! In fact, everyone did an excellent job coming up with creative, healthy, delicious and beautifully looking dishes. Here's what we got.
Appetizers:
- A cheese board with a spread of goat and sheep's milk cheeses
- Variety of crackers and chips, including gluten-free and pumpkin flavored ones
- Selection of nuts
Starters:
- Absolutely delicious curried butternut squash soup
- Garden vegetable salad and fennel pomegranate arugula salad with goat cheese and roasted pecans
Mains:
- Big roast that was so tender, juicy and delicious that even kids kept on asking for more
- Variety of side dishes: cauliflower mash, sous vide carrots, shaved Brussels sprouts with leeks and apples, gluten-free jalapeno corn bread, couscous and orzo grain mix (for kids)
Desserts:
- Keto pecan pie (i.e. grain- and sugar-free)
- Baked pears with walnuts and honey
- Selection of mini-muffins and cookies
Our creative approach was a success
It was an evening filled with wonderful people and delicious food. It was impressive how creative everyone was in making dishes that could fit various diets and food restrictions. And just like with a more traditional Thanksgiving feast, there was plenty of food. And, of course, we didn't limit ourselves with a single trip to the buffet table. But the best part is that when the food is prepared with healthy ingredients, has plenty of protein and vegetables, but relies less on carbs, you don't feel stuffed like you would otherwise.
Interestingly, the day after Thanksgiving, I read someone's post about their Thanksgiving. It was a more traditional Thanksgiving spread with a big turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce - you name it. At the end of the evening someone at the table made a revelation that in fact she didn't like turkey that much. Once she said that, many more people admitted the same. So the author of the post was wondering why cooking turkey then if no one in their group really liked it. And she was asking for ideas for alternatives to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner dishes that more people would enjoy.
I respect traditions and don't suggest scrapping all the regular menu items from the list. But I just want to say that there are many alternatives to make Thanksgiving feast more diverse, nutritious and healthy, while equally enjoyable and satisfying.
What are some of the non-traditional Thanksgiving menu items that are popular among your family and friends? I would love to hear your ideas here.