Another “atypical” Thanksgiving—but delicious nonetheless

Aside from a visit to New Jersey in 2015, it’s been nine years since sitting down to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. While living in the Philippines, my father and I typically would prepare a barbecue with everything from chicken to pork belly to fish—but no turkey.

Two years ago, while on the way home from Taipei, what’s become a tradition when returning to the Philippines is a couple days stay in Cebu City, along with lunch at Pilar’s Tuna Grille in nearby Mandaue City.

On this occasion, we arrived on Thanksgiving Day and, as the name of the place suggests, we ordered tuna but in the form of a giant grilled panga, or jaw.

So delicious and it is always surprising just how meaty a tuna jaw can be.

The following year, while in lockdown in Bacolod City, we went with the next best thing, lechon (I also penned a blog about the heaps of Thanksgiving leftovers).

This year, I’m back in the United States for Thanksgiving.

However, being in Albuquerque, the family I used to celebrate with are spread between New Jersey and Virginia, while my Dad is still back in the Philippines. For 2021, while the food was closer to “traditional” than lechon or tuna jaw, it wasn’t the typical circumstances.

Since arriving in New Mexico, I’ve gotten accustomed to visiting my mother’s husband’s parents at their retirement facility, along with enjoying meals in the dining hall. This year marks another novel Thanksgiving celebration.

Upon arriving to the table, we were greeted with something of an antipasti with peppers, assorted vegetables, and olives.

This was immediately followed by the opening of wine bottles. The primary choice of the table: a chardonnay by River Road Family Vineyards.

The California-based winery notes, the wine has “rich, slightly sweet, apple flavors.” It definitely went down smooth and would have to agree with the company when they describe the chardonnay as “crisp and clean.”

Then came the main course.

A plateful of all the hits: turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a roll.

Overall, everything was great. The best thing on the plate may have been the mashed potatoes and the stuffing but, then again, I’m also partial to starchy food. As usual, my mother’s husband’s mother asked if I would finish her plate (which I always oblige) and found, while my turkey had been shredded and managed to retain some taste with the accompanying gravy, her slices were carved and a bit dry (perhaps why she couldn’t finish those portions).

Earlier during the meal, I saw a tray of dessert fly by the table while still picking at the “antipasti” and it looked delicious.

A classic pumpkin pie. As expected, delicious and sweet—an excellent closer to the tasty and filling meal.

After enjoying grilled tuna jaw in Cebu, gorging on a big pile of lechon at home in Bacolod City, and celebrating at an Albuquerque retirement facility dining hall, who knows what subsequent Thanksgivings will bring?

Thanksgiving

Left the United States three years ago and have lived in a country where Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday. Have compensated for it in the past by having a feast on that day – of course, nothing equal to the way its celebrated in the US – on one occasion, had potatoes and lechon, not quite turkey and mash, but it was delicious nonetheless.

There really is nothing like sitting down to a traditional Thanksgiving feast, especially after not enjoying one for a couple years. From a country that isn’t native to turkeys (and not really much of a culinary fan of turkey), there is a majesty that comes with seeing a cooked and dressed bird arrive to a beautifully set table. Accompanied by all the fixings, in a time when people are supposed to express gratitude, it really brings out the emotions of being thankful for all the work that goes into preparing one dinner – a dinner that goes all day, but, regardless, a dinner.

Adding to the familial feel of Thanksgiving dinner, besides mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and candied yams; the dinner is always accompanied by traditional Filipino dishes, pancit (fried noodles) and lumpia (spring rolls). Combining traditions from two different cultures brings forward both a gratitude for where one comes from and everything done to bring someone to where they are today.

Hope everybody had a Happy Thanksgiving! Happy leftovers!