Celebrate your blessings and international relations by hosting your own Canadian Thanksgiving. Besides embracing the spirit of gratitude, the idea of a golden turkey, tasty sweet potato casserole and crispy Brussels sprouts might reinforce your resolve to partake in harvest delicacies. These yummy morsels will bring authenticity to your Canadian festivities, turning it into a social media-worthy event.
A celebratory feast
Usually hosted on the second Monday of October, Canadian Thanksgiving is a time to sit back and consider your blessings while giving thanks for another year. This major event was made an official holiday in 1879. However, North Americans have been enjoying this holiday since 1578. This day has become a national event for Canadians. Not only do they get to watch a Canadian Football League game but they also have an entire day dedicated to the cornucopia of foods brought in by the harvest.
- Turkey – The star of any Canadian Thanksgiving celebration should be the turkey. The traditional preparation of a turkey involves immersion in salt water before the bird is filled with a combination of bread and fresh herbs, known as stuffing. The skin is then coated with butter before being placed in the oven. Although this is the most common preparation of this poultry type, it can also be deep-fried.
- Cranberry sauce – Most Canadians will agree that no Thanksgiving is complete without a bowl of glistening cranberry sauce. This festive condiment is made from tart cranberries that are cooked with sugar. Depending on the recipe, you may also find that this sauce is lightly seasoned with orange zest, maple syrup or even some crystallised ginger. Cranberry is the perfect accompaniment to a slice of delicious roast turkey because of the sweet and tart taste it adds to the meal.
- Green bean casserole – Another staple of Canadian Thanksgiving is the green bean casserole. This delicious side dish is a staple of both Canadian and American Cuisine. This dish consists of green beans in a cream of mushroom soup or sour cream topped with fried onions. This delicious casserole is then placed in the oven until the beans are cooked and the topping is crispy. This is a firm favourite on the harvest table.
- Pumpkin pie – A slice of pumpkin pie with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream is the ultimate Canadian Thanksgiving dessert. The crisp cookie crust with a naturally sweet topping is the best way to end a delicious festive meal. Although pumpkin is preferred, a sweet potato, apple or cherry pie will also be an appropriate finale.
Places to enjoy a tasty Thanksgiving meal
Treat yourself to a delicious traditional Canadian Thanksgiving spread with all of the trimmings at Yole(Marriott) or the legendary Canton Paradise. Once you have eaten all of the tasty foods, you could head over to Windowsill Pies to enjoy a warm slice of pumpkin pie.