Thanksgiving is one of the best loved All-American celebrations for family and friends. It’s a time of gathering, reflection, gratitude and food and drinks are always in abundance and at the center of the festivities.

This year, why not add an additional layer of sparkle to the celebrations on Thursday 24th November? Introduce some of your Irish heritage and bring in some new traditions. It’s your celebration and all the better when it’s customized and personalized to create additional meaning for those gathered together.

Why not start with the food? Autumnal roast vegetables are always the starting point for the celebration dinner with butternut squash, kale and green beans.  

Delicious Traditional Turnips and ‘Spuds’
Your guests might like to instead sample some traditional turnips – an acquired taste for some – it doesn’t get more Irish than this! Heaps of hot buttered potatoes or ‘spuds’ placed in the center of the table will ensure that this taste of Ireland doesn’t get sidelined!

Try colcannon to replace green beans and green cabbage to replace the traditional kale and you’ll be doing it the Irish way. Colcannon is a very traditional Irish favorite dish which is a perfect side. It involves mixing creamy mashed potato with cabbage – comfort food at its best.  

Turkey is the center point of the Thanksgiving Feast for many families and homes across America. Serving it the Irish way will ensure that the flavors really come out with plenty of stuffing and lashings of gravy.  

For those that prefer goose – which has become increasingly popular – it is interesting to note that this was once the traditional festive bird used for celebrations. Turkey only came later and was introduced in the 17th century.

For afters, why not use the traditional Bailey’s Irish cream liqueur and make, for example, a pumpkin tart with this delicious added ingredient. Or try making or buying a traditional porter cake – great with a cup of tea.

Irish soda bread is a wonderful staple, very easy to bake and an ideal go-to for the hungry hordes – especially children. It’s delicious eaten with real butter or toasted. To finish it all off – Guinness is always an easy way to ‘green’ your Thanksgiving celebrations.

The next morning – there’s no better way to confirm your Irish heritage than tucking in to an Irish fry – rashers, sausages, buttered toast and black or white pudding!

Irish Phrases and Blessings
Thanksgiving is not widely celebrated in Ireland and there is actually no official Irish word for it. However in more recent times, Gaelic speakers have been using the phrase ‘Féile an Altaithe’, which is inspired by the Irish verb – ‘altaigh’ – to give thanks.

Another nice way of celebrating Irish heritage, along with Thanksgiving is to bring in an Irish blessing in advance of sitting down to the meal. One nice blessing goes as follows: “Bless us with good food, the gift of gab and hearty laughter. May the love and joy we share, be with us ever after”.