Giving thanks!

Thanksgiving Day in the USA is the 4th Thursday in November and therefore falls this Thursday November 26th. Rather like our Christmas Day, it is traditionally a family and friends occasion including sharing a special meal. Whilst the pilgrims would have eaten whatever they could lay their hands on, nowadays the fare consists mainly of turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, buttery mashed potato and vegetables. Pudding is pumpkin or apple pie.

Vegetarians may eat tofurkey! This is a a meat substitute of vegetarian protein made from tofu (soybean protein) or seitan (wheat protein) and the stuffing within is made from grains or breadcrumbs bound with a herby gravy. Personally, this does not appeal to me at all but for those who don't eat meat for ethical reasons, it may well be a good substitute.

The Pilgrims probably did eat turkey, along with other fowl and seafood. They would also have had some vegetables, including pumpkin, nuts and fruit including cranberries. Although they would not have understood at the time, the cranberries would have given them necessary vitamin C.

Fresh cranberries are now in season and can be simmered in water, fruit juice or wine with added sugar and spices to make cranberry sauce. I actually have a fridge full of the stuff left over from the breaded camemberts I buy as my go-to meat substitute when the rest of the family are having meat and vegetables.

Cranberries can also be used in muffins, cakes, apple pies and trifles. Another tip is to add a spoonful to gravy, whether it's a meat or vegetarian stock.

Another benefit to these little ruby red gems is that they are a superfood, being one of the richest sources of health promoting antioxidants; although you would need to eat a substantial number of raw cranberries to get the very best out of them!