What a wonderful recollection. The strength of America is in her immigrant families, mine included. Those who wish to segregate us between "Real Americans" and "The Other" do grave harm to the public psyche. There a few families that do not have stories of a knock on the door, a van or truck coming to take family members away in the dead of night, or the fears of an unbridled government. Many of us will have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, many others will not. Be thankful for our blessing, but bless those who are not as fortunate as ourselves this Thanksgiving.
Kudos to your grandparents and parents for honoring their Italian heritage while at the same time embracing the customs and traditions of this American holiday.
Ed that's exactly how my family did it . The children had a separate table. The menu was close to yours. Everyone was dressed up in their best clothes.
I remember those days and now I carry the torch and do the same thing
Ed...The smells, the togetherness, the never intended but consistently experienced over indulgence, the appreciation of our freedom and the urge to fervently and unapologetically say, "Thank you!" Let us never, ever forget the intent and raw splendor of Thanksgiving Day! You've captured it perfectly!
Thank you, David. I have not forgotten you and your marvelous book. I am reading some chapters for the second and third times. There is so much I didn't know.
What a wonderful read to start the week! I do believe we had the exact same meal as you, starting with antipasto, lasagna or manicotti & wedding soup, then on to the turkey and all the fixings. Then ALL the desserts you described. I also remember the men all taking a nap while the women cleaned and, somewhere around 6:00 PM it'd all come out again for sandwiches and leftover antipasto. Oh, and we sat in the "good" living room with the furniture all encase in plastic! Happy Thanksgiving!
I was born in the UK. My father was Irish and my mother a Scots. We came to Rhode Island when I was still a little boy. On Thanksgiving Day as well as Christmas we also had the traditional American foods like turkey and green bean casserole and heaping mounds of mashed potatoes. But we did have one not so common food: rutabagas mashed with carrots. Turned out this was because my father’s family always made this dish for any special occasion. During the Great Hunger of the Irish famine was when my forebear family decided to eat rutabagas and carrots to survive because the potato crops repeatedly had failed. They were actually ashamed to be eating the rutabagas (then called Swedes) because they were not eaten by people then but were fed to the pigs. They mashed in the carrots to disguise the Swedes! I always enjoy eating them but I must say they haven’t caught on with recent generations!
Thanks Ed for a wonderful recollection of how Italo-Americans basically greatly enhanced the experience of a typical American Thanksgiving by melding their traditional foods.
Ed, thanks for sharing your beautiful thanksgiving with family and relatives. It certainly was festive and a way to be thankful to be in this beautiful country. Our family shared many of your experiences. A happy thanksgiving to you Diane and family.
I justrorwarded this to all four of my children! We all live in different states, but we share memories of holidays (latest group texts were about our Christmas food memories!), and this one certainly brought back beautiful memories of holidays with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins! Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving!
What a wonderful recollection. The strength of America is in her immigrant families, mine included. Those who wish to segregate us between "Real Americans" and "The Other" do grave harm to the public psyche. There a few families that do not have stories of a knock on the door, a van or truck coming to take family members away in the dead of night, or the fears of an unbridled government. Many of us will have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, many others will not. Be thankful for our blessing, but bless those who are not as fortunate as ourselves this Thanksgiving.
Very nice Ed, thank. You Frank
Happy Thanksgiving, Frank.
Well written, Larry. Save for Native Americans, we are a nation of immigrants and their descendants. When do we understand that?
Happy Thanksgiving
Terrific. Joe GIUSTO
Buon Ringraziamento, Joe.
Kudos to your grandparents and parents for honoring their Italian heritage while at the same time embracing the customs and traditions of this American holiday.
Buona festa del ringraziamento,
Lora
Thanks, Lora. Their courage made it possible for us. Buon Ringraziamento
Ed that's exactly how my family did it . The children had a separate table. The menu was close to yours. Everyone was dressed up in their best clothes.
I remember those days and now I carry the torch and do the same thing
Thanks for the great memories
Thanks, Greg. I'm pleased to rekindle your memories of the beautiful day.
Buon Ringraziamento.
Ed...The smells, the togetherness, the never intended but consistently experienced over indulgence, the appreciation of our freedom and the urge to fervently and unapologetically say, "Thank you!" Let us never, ever forget the intent and raw splendor of Thanksgiving Day! You've captured it perfectly!
Thank you, David. I have not forgotten you and your marvelous book. I am reading some chapters for the second and third times. There is so much I didn't know.
Happy Thanksgiving!
What a wonderful read to start the week! I do believe we had the exact same meal as you, starting with antipasto, lasagna or manicotti & wedding soup, then on to the turkey and all the fixings. Then ALL the desserts you described. I also remember the men all taking a nap while the women cleaned and, somewhere around 6:00 PM it'd all come out again for sandwiches and leftover antipasto. Oh, and we sat in the "good" living room with the furniture all encase in plastic! Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm pleased that I rekindled your memories of the beautiful day.
Buon Ringraziamento!
Have an enjoyable Thanksgiving but take care if your driving very far!
I was born in the UK. My father was Irish and my mother a Scots. We came to Rhode Island when I was still a little boy. On Thanksgiving Day as well as Christmas we also had the traditional American foods like turkey and green bean casserole and heaping mounds of mashed potatoes. But we did have one not so common food: rutabagas mashed with carrots. Turned out this was because my father’s family always made this dish for any special occasion. During the Great Hunger of the Irish famine was when my forebear family decided to eat rutabagas and carrots to survive because the potato crops repeatedly had failed. They were actually ashamed to be eating the rutabagas (then called Swedes) because they were not eaten by people then but were fed to the pigs. They mashed in the carrots to disguise the Swedes! I always enjoy eating them but I must say they haven’t caught on with recent generations!
Interesting story, Jim. I've not had rutabagas yet.
Tradition is so important. I love it. Some accuse me of living in nostalgia. I thank them. Happy Thanksgiving
Thanks Ed for a wonderful recollection of how Italo-Americans basically greatly enhanced the experience of a typical American Thanksgiving by melding their traditional foods.
Thanks, Jim. Happy Thanksgiving
More wonderful memories! Such a blessing!🥰
Happy Thanksgiving, Sheila.
Ed, thanks for sharing your beautiful thanksgiving with family and relatives. It certainly was festive and a way to be thankful to be in this beautiful country. Our family shared many of your experiences. A happy thanksgiving to you Diane and family.
Yes, thank you, Peter. And a Happy Healthy Thanksgiving to you and your Family
Love this story. Happy Thanksgiving, Ed and Diane.
Thank you, Barbara. Happy Thanksgiving to You, Nick, and Your Family.
Eddie, great memories. Italians are all alike. Happy Turkey Day. Good Lord willing I will see you in June, 65th reunion. JNR.
Thank you, John. Buon Ringraziamento!
See you in June . . .
I justrorwarded this to all four of my children! We all live in different states, but we share memories of holidays (latest group texts were about our Christmas food memories!), and this one certainly brought back beautiful memories of holidays with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins! Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving!
To share my story warms my heart, Elsie. Thank you.
Buon Ringraziamento.
Dr. Ed...Wonderful story..brings me back to my childhood years. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Thank you, Joanne. Buon Ringraziamento!
Grazie, e pure tu!
Ed,
This is the most beautiful story you’ve written. It is the story of America. A very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Ned
Oh, thank you so much, Ned. A better compliment I could not have received.
Happy Thanksgiving