Nanny to Mommy

Turkey. The pilgrims went fowling for their first Thanksgiving. Thankfully, we no longer have to do that and can have the ease of ordering Southside Market Turkey. Preparing the turkey can be time consuming, stressful, and easy to mess up unless you are willing to outsource it! I suggest having a smoked turkey shipped to you. Allow yourself plenty of time to order as these turkeys will sell out. Once your turkey arrives, follow the instructions on the package and enjoy.

Serve something succulent this season, Southside Market all-natural, boneless Turkey Breast makes an excellent main course because it is seasoned with a custom blend and smoked slow over real Texas post oak wood. Simply heat and eat for a hassle-free, home-cooked celebration. Plus, you can share a meal with family that won’t be home for the holidays because they ship nationwide.

Green Beans or Green Bean Casserole. My Granny and Papa use to have a garden and would "can" their green beans for the family. So, I was always spoiled with fresh green beans each and every year. They also had fresh squash which I learned recently was in a triad called "The Three Sisters Crops" which is corn, beans, and squash. They work together to help each other which is so beautiful to me.

Corn or Creamed Corn. Corn is not only a traditional Thanksgiving food, but one of the most traditional Thanksgiving foods! The Wampanoag people taught the Pilgrims in Plymouth how to plant and cultivate corn to survive the winter. My mother-in-law also makes an awesome corn bread every year.

Homemade Macaroni & Cheese. Maybe non-traditional for some, but it is always on our Thanksgiving table. My mother-in-law always says it is necessary to make sure that there is something the kids will surely eat on the table besides the dinner rolls. My husband’s grandmother passed down a delicious recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Cranberry Sauce. Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America. Cranberry harvesting season is between mid-September and early November. Indigenous American peoples combined dried venison, cranberries, and fat to make a modern-day energy bar! Since cranberries were so widely available it is believed that they were present at the first Thanksgiving. But there is nothing like that can being placed on a plate. One year, I ate so much cranberry sauce that made I myself sick so when my aunt made me my own plate the next year, I didn't even want one bite.

Pumpkin Pie. Pumpkins are a fall crop that are native to North America. And if you have ever thrown your old Jack-o-lantern in the woods, then you know they can grow quite easily. So, although we don't know for sure that pumpkins were at the first Thanksgiving (especially not in pie form), they have been found to be in places over 7,500 years ago. We have a super easy Pumpkin Muffins recipe for you.

Thankful Turkey. Everyone goes around and fills out a feather with what they are thankful for. You can find our linked here. It is one of my favorite things and makes for such a fun tradition.

Cornucopias. Cornucopias can often be found on tables as Thanksgiving centerpieces because they mean "horn of plenty" and as a symbol they represent abundance. They are really cool to look at as well.