The Truth of Thanksgiving
giving thanks should not be shut up in a single day
While most Americans sort of believe the picturesque story of a convivial feast between the 51 or so surviving Pilgrims and around 90 Native Americans, perhaps from the Wampanoag Nation, the truth is far more complicated and perhaps a good deal murkier.
The Pilgrims had hardly explored the shores of Cape Cod for four days before they had robbed the graves of my ancestors and stolen their corn and beans. ~ Wamsutta Frank James, Wampanoag activist
Today, especially today, we can understand that within months of the disease ravaged Pilgrims winter 1620 arrival in North America, the native population was decimated by European illnesses. In addition there is strong evidence that the Puritans set the pattern for white settlers in America by seizing Native Lands, killing and enslaving the indigenous populations. Perhaps you could check out the Pequot Massacre of 1637.
As it goes, if there was ever a Thanksgiving Feast at all there is no evidence that the Wampanoags were there, or were even invited.
Being very religious people, it is more likely that the Pilgrims were celebrating a delayed Michaelmas, a harvest festival honouring the archangel Michael, who is a symbol of good triumphing over evil. Back then Michaelmas Day was October 10th. It gets more complex than that because in the protracted switch from the Juilan to Gregorian calendar from 10 to 18 days were removed from the year. That happened in 1752 in the USA. So, only God, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Sarah Josepha Hale, and the Wampanoag peoples know when Thanksgiving happened, if it’s not just a popular myth or a political invention.
Personally I believe that any feast, festival, or religious observance at this time of year is directly related to the autumn equinox, when our ancient ancestors would bemoan / celebrate that the day and night were of exactly equal length. From then on the days would get shorter, the nights longer, the weather colder, and winter would soon come howling in.
At least our English festival at this time of year, Guy Fawkes Night, is based on hard historical fact.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
Stonehenge is just a calendar
Food on Friday # 52
Except this isn’t Friday, it’s the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I wanted to post some ideas for Thanksgiving dishes before this Thursday, and give you time to go to the store. These are mostly desserts and booze, with a few other interesting things thrown in.
As Thanksgiving falls in the Autumn, (hahahahaha, a little English humour there), apples feature quite heavily in these recipes. Accordingly I’d like to remind you of Food on Friday # 48, which is all about apples and includes a few ideas I think could be super for Thanksgiving. (What do I know, we don’t do Thanksgiving in England.)
So, first up this week is a great recipe for a desert, or for something to have in the evening, or on Friday. From Andrea at Cooking with a Wallflower, we have this delicious looking apple pear pie. And if that wasn’t tasty enough we have Andrea’s favourite Thanksgiving dishes for 2016.
Apple Pear Pie
Also from Andrea, how about this fabulous autumn drink ~ apple pear cider.
Apple Pear Cider
This is a decliciously cute recipe from Jacelyn Delk Adams at Grandbaby Cakes, a site I haven’t featured before, caramel apple cheesecake. Doesn’t it look fabulous?
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
From Heather Christo, one of her gorgeous looking dishes, with one of her trademark very long names; pumpkin caramel and chocolate ganache tart with potato chip coconut crust. Heather says this recipe is both vegan and gluten free.
Pumpkin Caramel and Chocolate Ganache Tart
Also from Heather we have this collection of Thanksgiving cocktails for before the feast, including this autumn sangria with apples pomegranate and figs.
Autumn Sangria with Apples Pomegranate and Figs
Another drink, this time from Tieghan Gerard at Half Baked Harvest; pomegranate ginger paloma. As well as tequila this recipe uses honey, fresh ginger, and mint leaves. Nice, but make mine without the tequila. If that wasn’t enough, from bon appetit we have a collection of 25 Thanksgiving cocktail and drink recipes. Jeez.
Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
Finally for this week, something that no Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner would be complete without; the stuffing. From Elise at Simply Recipes we have a sausage, sage, and cornbread stuffing recipe, (we don’t get cornbread in England).
Sausage Sage and Cornbread Stuffing
Elise also tells us how to make perfect mashed potatoes, sweet potato and pork Thanksgiving stuffing, make ahead mashed potatoes, and how to make gravy. Cool.
If all that wasn’t enough, Country living has 37 recipes for your best Thanksgiving stuffing ever, including this slow cooker cranberry pecan stuffing from one of my favourite cooks, Chungah at Damn Delicious.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
a great big thank you to all of the cool cooks
featured in this Tuesday version of Food on Friday
Happy Thanksgiving
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
JackCollier7 
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