We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving every year. Since it’s not a holiday here in Italy it’s just usually not on my radar until the last minute. When the kids were little I made more of an effort, inviting friends from Rome up to our house in Umbria for the day and making a blowout feast for 10 to 20 people. In the last few years though, since the fall is usually such a busy time for me tour-wise, I just couldn’t be bothered. At the most I’d throw something together that involved pumpkin and call it a day.
This year though, I had actually been planning on at least inviting a few friends over. Now that Italy has returned into lockdown I’m not sure that will happen. One of my friends is in Tuscany, which I think means he won’t be able to travel to our region of Umbria. But I’m still hoping that the current rules will allow us to have at least a couple of neighbors over for a well-ventilated, socially distanced celebration of some sorts.
Because if nothing else 2020 is the year I am celebrating ALL of the holidays. I’m taking any chance I can get to light more candles and bring more cheer into our house. Because even if it’s only Sophie, Domenico and me around the table, I’m going to make special days special if there is even half a reason.
So what’s the menu this year? Definitely turkey, but not a mega bird. My local butcher is making me one of his special boned and stuffed turkey legs. I have a feeling there will be sausage and pancetta involved, so it will be kind of like a turkey version of porchetta.
I haven’t decided on the sides or desserts yet, but thought I’d share some of the recipes on my blog that I’m considering and that could maybe work for you. Because I hope you will be setting the table and lighting some candles even if it’s not the family and friends feast of years past. Don’t let 2020 blow out your candles
Cocktails
Pomegranate Cocktail
Red Currant and Grappa Cocktail
Negroni Sbagliato
Appetizers
Winter Squash Soup
Stuffed Onions
Celery & Cheese Salad
Vegetarian Mains
Pumpkin Risotto
Pumpkin Lasagna
Fennel Parmigiana
Sides
Baked Fennel & Pecorino
Rosemary Roast Potatoes
Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage Pesto
Salads
Radicchio & Pear Salad
Kale & Clementine Salad
Desserts
Persimmon-misu
Persimmon cream
Quince Crostata
If you’re looking for more menu inspiration, recipes and even ideas about how to set your holiday table, you can find them in my book The Italian Table.
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