Hey, it's Turkey Day!

So, it's Thanksgiving Day today. It's the fourth Thursday of November every year in the US where the fate of millions of turkeys end up on elaborately decorated dining tables. Actually, it's not that bad coming to think of it because on this day, a turkey happens to be the single most celebrated ingredient. It's almost like these birds die a meaningful death. For instance, a turkey doesn't just get slaughtered, cooked and eaten up ordinarily on Thanksgiving Day. It's cleaned, pat-dried, seasoned, stuffed, glazed and then roasted to perfection (with in-between basting).

Then, it's prettily decorated, complete with cute paper booties for the drumsticks! Wait, there's more. At the dining table, the succulent-looking, all stuffed-up turkey is carved with special utensils. On top of that, the side dishes are planned accordingly to match-up to the majestic centerpiece - our dear, roasted, feathered friend. (Visual aid: see before-after pics below)

Still feeling bad for 'em turkeys? Fine, go ahead and knock yourself out with 'tofurkey', the tofu-based vegetarian faux turkey! Meat-free, guilt-free :)

BEFORE:



AFTER:
Anyhoo, turkeys and tofu aside, let's delve into the actual meaning of thanksgiving now. Actually, the history behind this special day is very interesting. Basically, it started as a day where people get together to say thanks to God for the bountiful harvest. Being a Hindu, I can relate to this because even we have a special day called the festival of harvest (Ponggal in Tamil) to be thankful to God for an abundant harvest. Special prayers and family get-togethers are held on that day. I went on to read more on the most celebrated autumn festival in North America and got myself some interesting facts (www.ehow.com):

• In ancient times, people of many cultures (including the ancient Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, Egyptians and Chinese) gave thanks to their god or gods for a successful harvest, and some of the traditions associated with modern Thanksgiving celebrations have their roots in these ancient festivals. In 1621, near the end of the Plymouth colony's first year in America, the settlers gave thanks for a plentiful first harvest. The pilgrims and the natives celebrated together (they had arranged a peace treaty), and everyone feasted on geese, ducks, deer, corn, oysters, fish and berries.
• In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving should be a national observance. To some degree, this was a way to brighten the spirits of the American people, who were dealing with a great deal of difficulty and deprivation.
• Despite the harmonious relations that may have existed between natives and pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving feast, many subsequent American Thanksgivings involved settlers giving thanks for victories over the natives. Recently, efforts have been made by the American government and people to apologize for past discrimination and violence.
• The wild turkey is native to the eastern states and northern Mexico, and while it probably wasn't served at the first Thanksgiving feast, it has become a symbol of the holiday.

However Thanksgiving may have been celebrated in the past, nowadays it's all about celebrating family togetherness, being thankful for having enough to eat and remembering to do something for those with less. Now that's something very noble anyone can relate to.
My hubby and my little hero are my source of life. And if I were a cupcake, my family back home is like the colorful rainbow sprinkles that adorn a cupcake. Therefore, I am extremely thankful to God for keeping me alive to enjoy them all. I am truly blessed!

P/S: We are having some turkey kheema for dinner today. Nope, I am not going to garnish my turkey dish. I want to enjoy my dinner guilt-free ;)