Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food: green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, cream of mushroom soup covering many dishes, and million pounds of turkey. Oh, how we love this day!
But have you thought about the food and why we serve what we serve? We at Novice Cook have! We love learning with you. We hope you have fun with these Thanksgiving food facts. Who knows the most Thanksgiving trivia about the food you may serve?
What are some fun facts about the food we eat on Thanksgiving?
Turkey: Gobble, Gobble
Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
One of the most popular theories about why we eat turkey on Thanksgiving is that the bird was simply more plentiful than other meats at the time of the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. Another possibility is that turkey was seen as a special treat to be savored on rare occasions, and the holiday provided a perfect opportunity to serve it.
Whatever the reason for its inclusion in the original feast, turkey has become an essential part of the Thanksgiving tradition in America. Each year, millions of Americans sit down to a Thanksgiving feast that includes roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. For many people, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a big juicy turkey on the table.
How many pounds of turkey do Americans consume on Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States and is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. One of the traditional foods served on this holiday is turkey. According to the National Turkey Federation, Americans consume approximately 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving each year. This amounts to about 271 million pounds (122 million kilograms) of turkey!
Stuffing: Are Your Buttons Popping?
What is stuffing?
Stuffing is a dish usually made from bread, herbs, and spices, and it is used to stuff poultry or other meats. It is a popular dish for Thanksgiving dinner in the United States.
Why do we eat stuffing on Thanksgiving?
Stuffing is a dish traditionally served as part of the Thanksgiving feast in the United States. It is typically made with bread, herbs, and spices. Stuffing is usually cooked inside the turkey, but can also be baked in a separate dish.
There are many theories about the origins of stuffing. Some believe that it was originally a way to stretch the meat supply, as stuffing could be used to fill up an empty turkey or chicken. Others believe that ancient cultures used stuffing as a way to absorb the juices of the bird while cooking, which would help keep the meat moist and flavorful.
Whatever its origins, stuffing has become an essential part of the Thanksgiving feast. For many people, it is their favorite part of the meal! Me! It’s my favorite part!
Mashed potatoes: Keep mashing away!
Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but why do we serve them at Thanksgiving?
Mashed potatoes are a dish that is typically served on Thanksgiving in the United States. There are many theories as to why this tradition started, but one of the most popular is that mashed potatoes were seen as a way to use up leftover potatoes from the fall harvest. Another theory is that mashed potatoes became popular because they were a cheap and easy way to feed a large group of people. Whatever the reason, mashed potatoes have become a staple of Thanksgiving meals in America.
How many pounds of potatoes are used on Thanksgiving Day?
On Thanksgiving Day, Americans consume about 1.33 billion pounds of potatoes. This includes both fresh and processed potatoes, such as French fries and hash browns. The majority of these potatoes are grown in Idaho, where the climate is ideal for potato cultivation. Other top potato-producing states include Washington, Oregon, Maine, and Colorado.
Cranberry sauce: Bring it on!
What is cranberry sauce?
Cranberry sauce is a sauce made from cranberries, sugar and water. It is usually eaten with turkey or chicken. Cranberry sauce can be made from fresh or frozen cranberries. It is also available in cans.
Why do we eat cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving?
The tradition of eating cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving is thought to have started with the Native Americans, who used cranberries in a variety of dishes. Cranberries are native to North America and were an important food source for the Native Americans. The Pilgrims also ate cranberries, and they are mentioned in early Thanksgiving accounts.
Cranberry sauce became a more common Thanksgiving dish in the 19th century when canned cranberry sauce was introduced. Cranberry sauce was originally made with whole berries, sugar, and water. Today, there are many different recipes for cranberry sauce, but it is still a traditional Thanksgiving dish.
How many pounds of cranberries are used on Thanksgiving?
Cranberries at Thanksgiving are a must, and many people use them in various dishes on the holiday. But how many pounds of cranberries are actually used on Thanksgiving?
While the exact number may vary from year to year, it is estimated that Americans use about 400 million pounds of cranberries on Thanksgiving. This number comes from the United States Department of Agriculture, which also notes that most of these cranberries are canned or frozen.
While fresh cranberries are certainly used in some dishes, it is clear that the majority of Americans rely on canned or frozen cranberries for their Thanksgiving feast. So get your jellied cranberry sauce on!
Pumpkin pie: Our Favorite Orange Food!
What is the history of pumpkin pies?
Pumpkin pies have been around for centuries and are thought to have originated in North America. The first recorded recipe for pumpkin pie dates back to the 1600s, and the dish has been a popular dessert ever since. Pumpkin pie is typically made with a pastry crust, filled with a spiced pumpkin puree, and baked until the filling is set. The traditional spices used in pumpkin pie include cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, but many modern recipes also call for cloves, allspice, and even black pepper. While pumpkin pie is most commonly associated with the fall season and Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States, it is actually enjoyed year-round in many parts of the world.
How many pumpkin pies are made each year?
In the United States, around 50 million pumpkin pies are made each year. Most of these pies are made during the fall months, in preparation for Thanksgiving. Interestingly, almost all of the pumpkins used for these pies come from just two states: Illinois and Ohio. Combined, these two states produce over 80% of the pumpkins grown in the US.
Hope you found out some interesting information about the food we serve every Thanksgiving. Remember, the best part of Thanksgiving is being with friends and family or framily, as we like to call our crew. We hope you enjoy your big meal today with big thanks!
