A not so deep fried Korean Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2006, San Diego, CA: Angie and I introduce
tofurky to our Thanksgiving menu.  Only year I thought to
take a picture of the food.

So today is Thanksgiving Day, and while I haven't spent a thanksgiving with my entire family in approximately 7 years, this holiday is definitely one of my favorites.  Over the years because of budget or travel constraints, work or a self preservation instinct to avoid jello, Angie and I sort started our own Thanksgiving traditions.  While we are both in the same country this year and I am closer in proximity to her than anyone else I am truly close to, we are not going to be able to spend this day nor this weekend together and that is what I am missing most this Thanksgiving is Angie's and mine little traditions.

Normally we would spend the day before stockpiling our fridge for the next days feast.  We would obtain enough food to feed a small regiment and it normally would wind up being just the two of us since everyone else we knew had family close by or went home.  With me being a vegetarian and Angie not really being all that fond of turkey, our first few Thanksgivings normally consisted of all the lovely side dishes.  We then expanded to include tofurky and last year we had Tofurky and a turkey since we had others coming to share the day.  We divide up the cooking which for Angie and I next to the eating might be the most enjoyable time since we both love cooking.

From the same dinner just different angle in 2006.

The menu:  It is pretty basic and pretty much everything is made from scratch, using fresh ingredients. Roasted tofurky and/or turkey (ok tofurky not made from scratch) with roasted vegetables along the side including potatoes, onions and carrots.  Roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Green bean casserole. Sweet corn. Cranberry sauce from scratch.  Corn bread dressing.  Spinach salad of some sort.  Rolls.  Gravy.  Pumpkin pie and for the last 2 years cannoli.

The festivities: We usually start by watching a bit of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade while be begin the preparations.  During the cooking we are usually watching football (GO DETROIT) and just as the food is ready we settle in to dinner watching the Godfather trilogy because nothing says family togetherness quite like The Godfather.  We try to time the eating of the cannoli with a toast using the cannoli when Clemenza says to Rocco, "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."  So we get a little desert during the meal.  About 1/2 way through the 2nd movie we are ready for dessert and pretty much we pass out when Sofia dies!  Also during the football and dinner preparations I am able to talk to my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, grandmother, uncles, aunts, etc.  This year because of the time difference coordinating a conversation via Skype will be difficult but hopefully something will be able to be worked out.  Although I no longer have internet at my apartment for the time being so that makes it all the more challenging.

This year my plans will probably include a phone call to Angie, perhaps enjoying some homemade pasta, eating pumpkin pie I was able to get from Costco here in Korea, and settling in for at least part 1 of The Godfather.  Saturday my new friends and I will have a feast as close to tradition as we possibly can.  So for this Thanksgiving I am wishing all my family and friends a wonderful gut popping day!  And to Angie we'll hopefully toast with cannoli soon.

***Update***
Since we couldn't be with family and some of us didn't relish the idea of spending $25-$30 on a Thanksgiving buffet, a few of us gathered at the nearby KFC to try and get as close to thanksgiving feast as we could.  We figured KFC would have mashed potatoes and gravy along with perhaps mac-n-cheese and chicken was as close to turkey as we were going to get.  Well we got chicken, and we got biscuits, but no mashed potatoes - instead we opted for fries. No corn on the cob but a corn salad!  This evening definitely proved it isn't what you eat but who you're with that truly matters.  A few new friends in a foreign country, sharing a holiday and good conversation... for that I am very Thankful!

My KFC Thanksgiving Feast with my new friends.