Every year in elementary school, my class had a Thanksgiving potluck, where each student brought a dish from home to share. I remember one year, each student went home and collected one of their family’s unique Thanksgiving recipes.
For my recipe, I diligently followed my aunt’s instructions to make her famous Strawberry Jello Salad. In a full circle moment, I asked members of The Hustler’s staff to share what unique dishes their families serve on Thanksgiving.
Strawberry Jello Salad – Siena Austin, Staff Writer
To start, I want to highlight my family’s own unique dish. Strawberry Jello salad is not just some strawberries thrown into a Jello mix but rather a sweet, tart and salty three-layer dessert. The bottom layer is a base of crushed pretzels mixed with sugar and butter before it is baked into a crisp shell.
The following layer is a rich cream cheese whisked with sugar, as well as some Cool Whip to create a light and airy filling. The final top layer combines strawberry Jello with thawed, frozen strawberries to create the iconic red color of the dessert. After setting the Jello in the fridge for several hours, this dish remains an iconic part of my southern family’s dessert table.
Ambrosia Salad – Michael Carroll, Deputy Life Editor
Continuing with the salad theme, Michael Carroll has a unique family recipe as well. As a senior from Vallejo, California, Carroll is going home to Ambrosia salad, or as her family calls it, “Whippie Salad.” Carroll’s mother found the term “ambrosia” to be unfitting for their family’s prized dish.
Carroll’s maternal grandmother started this tradition many years ago, before passing it down to Carroll’s mom. “Whippie Salad” is a mix of whipped cream, pistachio pudding powder, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, pecans and maraschino cherries. Carroll notes it is important to know that although “Whippie Salad” is a combination of sweet flavors, it is meant to be served as a side, not a dessert!
Ice Cream Cake – Chloe Whalen, Games Editor
Junior Chloe Whalen has an untraditional Thanksgiving dessert when she goes home to Limestone, Illinois. Instead of pumpkin pie, cookies or cake, Whalen’s family likes ice cream cake.
Whalen’s family tradition was sparked by her dislike of pie and cake. She recalls how growing up with a birthday so close to Thanksgiving was frustrating because it meant no birthday party just for her! So, as compensation, her mom began buying an ice cream cake in honor of her birthday. The rest is history! Every year, Whalen’s family enjoys a Dairy Queen ice cream cake with decadent chocolate ice cream, a layer of cookie crumble, followed by fudge (her personal favorite) and topped and coated with vanilla ice cream. Snow, rain or shine, Whalen’s ice cream cake is a staple at Thanksgiving.
Romanian and Eastern European Flair – George Albu, Photography Editor
Transitioning into the savory Thanksgiving dishes, junior George Albu from Atlanta, taps into his family’s Romanian and Eastern European roots. Each year, his family makes Sarmale, pui cu smantana, as well as stuffed peppers with ground meat.
Sarmale, or stuffed cabbage rolls, are a traditional Romanian dish. The second dish, Pui cu smantana, directly translates to “chicken sour cream.” Lastly, his family enjoys peppers, usually stuffed with pork or beef!
Cheesy Pineapples – Addie Sanders, Staff Writer
From Anderson, South Carolina, first-year Addie Sanders showcases a special family Thanksgiving dish. Every year, her grandma pairs pineapple with a surprising combination: cheese and mayonnaise.
The holes of canned pineapple rings are filled with a combination of shredded cheddar cheese and mayonnaise. This is all topped with a sweet maraschino cherry. While not Addie’s taste, many people enjoy this unique dish.
A selection of appetizers – Elena Parisi, Food Correspondent
Last but certainly not least, sophomore Elena Parisi discussed a few of her family’s favorite dishes when hosting Thanksgiving back home in Washington, D.C.
The first recipe is one her mother adapted from the Food Network, a parsnip soup base featuring white chocolate and a pomegranate topping. This dish works well with the sweet chocolate and acidic fruit on top of a savory soup, according to Parisi.
Another dish her mother loves to make every year is a recipe true to her Armenian roots called yebadet, or stuffed grape leaves. Seasoned ground lamb and rice are rolled inside pickled grape leaves that are stacked and cooked in a pot with lemon and garlic. These hand-rolled appetizers are a labor of love that Parisi and her siblings help with!
Tapping into her Italian side, Parisi’s dad makes stuffed clams modeled after his own mother’s recipe, who used to make them every Thanksgiving before she passed away. Scooping out the meat and cleaning the impurities off the shells is also labor-intensive. For that reason, Parisi’s family has modified their recipe, using canned clam meat instead, still stuffing actual shells and coating them with breadcrumbs before baking.
Parisi’s potpourri of dishes is a true reflection of her background and encapsulates the spirit of Thanksgiving, cooking familial recipes with lots of love.
When you visit home this Thanksgiving, be sure to enjoy your families’ comfort meals, and be ready to ask your roommate what’s unique to their Thanksgiving plate!
