Gathering for Thanksgiving

Whether you’re preparing a traditional Thanksgiving feast for your family or hosting a small Friendsgiving dinner with a few special friends, we have a collection of holiday recipes that are sure to please your guests. You’ll find holiday favorites such as apple and pecan pies (including a recipe for gluten-free pie crust), a helpful reference guide for roasting turkey, stuffing recipes, and lots of recipes for savory side vegetable dishes and condiments. Not enough time to do it all yourself? Many of our farmers and vendors offer a wide selection of tasty, ready-to-go items.

Easy Snacks and Appetizers
Tired of the old family standby appetizer of chips and dip? Make your holiday easier and purchase a selection of local artisan cheeses from Schoch Family Farmstead or Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery for a delicious cheese platter— and don’t forget an assortment of Foustman’s Salami! Add roasted or flavored nuts from Stackhouse Orchards, Manzanita Manor Organics, or Minazzoli Farms.

And, here are a few easy appetizer ideas to consider:

Soup or Salad First Courses
Since there is so much food for the Thanksgiving dinner, soup and salads may not be on the menu — but it’s a great way to tame the masses while finishing last-minute baking! Sometimes we pass soup served in cups after the appetizers if everyone arrives early or if last-minute cooking is taking longer than usual!

Turkey — Fresh or Smoked
Fresh organic turkeys are available at Corralitos Market and Sausage Company! Order early – Dave has fresh turkeys available from 10 – 30 lbs., and his helpful staff will give you cooking guidelines. Dave also offers fully cooked smoked turkeys, available in two sizes (large or small), that can also be shipped anywhere in the US. To place your order, call Corralitos Market at (831) 722.2633. You can also order other smoked specialty products like their famous smoked and fresh sausages, hams, smoked salmon, spare ribs, and bacon.

How to Roast a Turkey
Take the guesswork out of cooking a fresh turkey and use our handy turkey roasting guide.

Give the dry-brining technique a try — a dry-brined turkey takes a few days — but the results are so worth it! This method practically guarantees a moist, flavorful, turkey that is not dry and overcooked — and as an added bonus, it takes much less time to cook. Watch: How to Dry-Brine a Turkey

Stuffing and Dressing
You can easily pick up all of the makings for your favorite stuffing or dressing at the market. Start with bread from Companion Bakeshop or Beckmann’s – Francese, ciabatta, and sourdough bread are excellent for stuffing. Mora Family Farms has farm-fresh chicken or duck eggs, and you’ll find herbs, nuts, onions, and veggies plentiful at the farmer’s market.

Gravy
If you have time a week or two before the big day, here’s our favorite rich chicken stock to make from scratch. This is the secret to flavorful gravy. And here’s a tip: buy a few pounds of turkey wings. Place on a baking sheet, baste with some melted butter or olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast at 400 degrees until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Add the roasted parts and pan juice to the chicken stock and simmer for a couple of hours  — instant roasted turkey flavor for your dressing or gravy!

Here’s a video about how to make perfect gravy: How to Make Perfect Gravy

Bread and Rolls
There’s not a more welcoming aroma than the smell of bread or dinner rolls baking and what better way to greet your guests? In our family, it’s a tradition to serve warm, fresh-from-the-oven homemade rolls — even if we have to wait a bit longer for dinner due to lack of oven space! Quick bread like popovers, cornbread, or biscuits can be baked while the turkey rests before dinner.

If you’re not inclined to bake, Beckmann’s Bakery, Bay Living Culinary, Sweet Elena’s Bakery, and Companion Bakeshop offer a wide selection of freshly baked rolls and bread. Be sure to place your order early.

Vegetables and Side Dishes
If the standard green-bean-and-onions casserole doesn’t do it for you these days, roasted root vegetables complement roasted turkey very well. Here are a few suggestions from our chefs.

For more side dish ideas, here’s our complete list of sides! And, this year, Bay Living Culinary is offering a menu of traditional side dishes that can be ordered and picked up at the Aptos Farmers Market.

Condiments and Relishes
Add pizzazz to the traditional dinner by serving a couple of interesting chutneys or relishes along with cranberry sauce.

Dessert
Every family seems to have a favorite handed-down, memorable Thanksgiving dessert. For most, pie is the reigning queen of desserts! However, making pies from scratch can be challenging if you’re expecting a house full of guests. You can buy scrumptious pies and tarts with all the homemade goodness from Sweet Elena’s Bakery, Companion Bakeshop, and Beckmann’s Bakery. Be sure to stop by their booths at the farmers’ markets and place your orders early.

If you’re ready to bake pies from scratch, here are a few of our favorites to try! The vegan desserts are big hits with non-vegans, too.

Gather your family and cherished friends around the table, be grateful, and celebrate the abundance of our local harvest. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

 

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