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Our Thanksgiving Planning Guide: Recipes, Tips, and Ready-Made Delights for a Memorable Feast

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, share gratitude, and indulge in a memorable feast. Whether you’re planning a classic Thanksgiving spread for family or a cozy Friendsgiving with close friends, our farmers market has everything you need to make it memorable. From seasonal favorites like apple and pecan pies (including a gluten-free pie crust option) to a comprehensive turkey roasting guide, we’ve curated recipes and tips to make your holiday cooking easy and enjoyable. You’ll find mouthwatering recipes for stuffing, hearty vegetable sides, and flavor-packed condiments to complete your table. And if you’re short on time, don’t worry—our farmers and vendors offer a fantastic selection of delicious, ready-made items to help you pull off an impressive feast with ease.

The Star of the Show: How to Roast a Turkey
At the heart of this special meal is the star of the show — a perfectly roasted turkey that brings warmth and flavor to every bite. But roasting a turkey can feel intimidating. We’re here to take the guesswork out with a step-by-step guide that will set you up for a show-stopping centerpiece. Here’s the link to our easy turkey roasting guide.

If you’re looking to level up your turkey game, consider giving the dry-brining technique a try. Unlike traditional wet brining, dry brining is a simple yet transformative process that infuses the meat with deep flavor while keeping it incredibly juicy. Yes, it takes a few days, but the results are absolutely worth the extra time! With this method, you’ll achieve a beautifully seasoned, moist, and flavorful bird that cooks faster and avoids the common pitfalls of dryness and overcooking. Watch: How to Dry-Brine a Turkey

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!

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 Sweet Elena’s Bakery, Companion Bakeshop or Beckmann’s – Francese, ciabatta, and sourdough bread are excellent for making 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 homemade 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, 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, traditional 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!