Thanksgiving Symbols

Only 3 more days till Thanksgiving...

Are you ready yet?

Well, Folks You know how I love to give facts and trivia about the holidays so here I am with more useless stuff. Its time to celebrate all over again with Thanksgiving bringing in loads of laughter and good cheer. Its also the perfect time to learn about the symbols of Thanksgiving that makes it all the more special. So gear up to bask in the Thanksgiving spirit.

The celebration of Thanksgiving would be incomplete without the legendary Turkey. The Turkey derives its name from the 'turk turk' sounds it makes when scared. The famous 'Turkey' adorns the table of every household
as a main course during the celebration. The customary dinner is a reminder of the 'Four Wild Turkeys' served at the 'First Thanksgiving Feast'. The festivity completes with the customary 'Turkey Song'. Please forgive my music but it was the only Turkey Song I could find...

Cornucopia, also known as the 'horn of plenty' is the most common symbol of a harvest festival. A Horn shaped container it is filled with abundance of harvest. The traditional cornucopia was a curved goat's horn filled to brim with fruits and grains. According to Greek legend, Amalthea (a goat) broke one of her horns and offered it to Greek God Zeus as a sign of reverence. As a sign of gratitude, Zeus later set the goat's image in the sky also known as constellation Capricorn.

One of the most popular symbols of Thanksgiving is the Corn. With It's varieties of colors it makes for a very interesting symbol. Some Americans considered blue and white corn to be sacred. It is believed that native Americans had been growing corn a long time before the pilgrims arrived in their country. The Americans taught pilgrims how to grow corn and help them survive the bitter winter. The Corn eventually became a part of the first thanksgiving dinner and the tradition continues till date where the corn finds its place on every dinner table the world over and specially during the Thanksgiving dinner. Ornamental Corncobs are a favourite with the masses during the festival. The dinning tables are decorated with harvest wreaths which is also a very popular gift item among Americans. Ornamental popcorn's are also widely used. Corn reminds us of the importance and heritage of the famous harvest festival. It also remains America's foundation of 'Modern-Agriculture'.

The 'Pumkin pie' is another modern staple at almost every Thanksgiving table. It is customary. Pumpkin leaves were also used as salads. According to historians, the pumpkin is one of the important symbols of the harvest festival and has been an All American-favourite for over 400 years now.

Beans are a special symbol of thanksgiving. Native Americans are believed to have taught the pilgrims to grow beans next to cornstalks. So that beans could grow and use cornstalks as their pole. Thus American beans are also known as 'Pole Beans'. Famously known as one of the 'Three sisters', beans are a part of thanksgiving feast.

Cranberry, Originally called crane berry, has derived its name from its pink blossoms and drooping head which reminded the pilgrim of a crane. It is a symbol and a modern diet staple of thanksgiving. Pilgrims soon found out a way to sweeten the bitten cranberries with maple sugar. Ever since cranberry sauce is a permanent companion of turkey during thanksgiving feast.

Here is a delicious recipe that has been in my family for years... A delicious cranberry chutney with apples, oranges, golden raisins, and spices, perfect alongside pork, turkey, and chicken main dishes.

Cranberry Chutney

Ingredients:
1 orange, peeled, tough membrane removed, chopped
1/4 cup orange juice
1 package (12 ounces) fresh cranberries
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 large Golden Delicious apple, peeled, cored, chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cranberries are bursting. Chill until serving time; freeze surplus in small containers. Makes about about 4 cups of chutney.

I hope you enjoyed this

Until Later