Oct. 05, 2011 - Issue #833: Fall Style 2011
Provenance
Six facts about Thanksgiving
Exclusive club
Although harvest festivals have a long history in many different cultures, "Thanksgiving" is celebrated in only four places: Canada, America, Liberia and Norfolk Island—a territory of Australia. Each place celebrates Thanksgiving on a different day.
Give thanks, eh
The first Canadian Thanksgiving was celebrated by explorer Martin Frobisher in Newfoundland in 1578. His feast didn't celebrate a good harvest the way our modern Thanksgiving does, instead giving thanks for his safe return from an unsuccessful expedition to find the Northwest Passage. Frobisher's celebration predates the first American Thanksgiving held by the Pilgrims by 42 years.
Want seconds?
The world's largest pumpkin pie was created on September 25, 2010 in New Bremen, OH for the New Bremen Pumpkinfest. It weighed 3669 pounds, was over 20 feet in diameter, and contained 1212 pounds of canned pumpkin, 2796 eggs and 525 pounds of sugar.
Gobble gobble
Turkey is considered the traditional Thanksgiving meal and has been since the days of the Pilgrims. It has its origins in England when Queen Elizabeth I sat down to a roasted goose at a harvest festival. While eating, she was informed that the Spanish Armada—which had been on its way to attack England—had mysteriously sunk. She ordered a second roast goose to celebrate England's good fortune and roasted goose became a staple at English harvest festivals. The Pilgrims brought the tradition to America but, finding very few geese and plenty of turkeys, switched the bird.
Alt-poultry
Tofurky, a loaf made of tofu and wheat protein that contains stuffing, was introduced by Turtle Island Foods in 1995. Considered the vegan alternative to Thanksgiving (and Christmas) turkey, Tofurky can ensure that vegans and vegetarians aren't relegated to side dishes during the holidays.
Get stuffed
Stuffing is one of the most ancient foods on the Thanksgiving table, having made its first appearance in the Apicius, a fourth-century Roman cookbook which contains recipes for stuffed chicken, hare, pig and dormouse. V vueweekly.com comments: powered by Disqus
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