Growing up in an Italian/American household my mother cooks each holidays traditional food with the addition of Italian dishes. My family’s tradition is to wake up at 9am to marinate and stuff the turkey and put it in the oven as we watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After the turkey is in the oven my mother with the help from me and my sister start making the side dishes to go with the turkey.

We make mash and sweet potatoes, homemade gravy, stuffing, cream spinach, corn, Brussels sprouts which is  traditional Thanksgiving food. But of course we can not forget about our italian traditions. My mother puts out an antipasto spread before everyone comes over so when they get to my house they have something to pick on. Then the homemade lasagna and mushroom risotto is served for everyone to eat at the table.

After we take a break from eating for a bit the main course is served which is the turkey with all the traditional sides plus my families additives. My uncle that is Puerto Rican brings over his home made rice and beans with pastilles. Then my mother makes stuffed artichokes, broccoli rabe, pasta salad, and a cauliflower salad. All of these dishes that are placed at the table make up a part of my family and heritage that ties my family together.