I’m talking turkey, but no one is listening! It’s November, the month of my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. Here in Europe, it’s just another day on the calendar. Color me blue. I miss family and friends and the camaraderie that comes with the holiday. And, of course, I miss my Butterball turkey!
Some Americans living abroad become a bit melancholy and long for that special day when we gather with family, eat too much, and watch too much television. We tend to seek each other out at this time of year, like a secret society longing for something we’ve left behind.
There is no Thanksgiving Day parade here and no football games. Yes, I’m talking about American football. You know, the game where men in well-padded uniforms throw a prolate spheroid football in their quest to get a touchdown. I’m more of a European football fan. That’s soccer for those of you who were wondering.
Bring Me a Butterball
I admit it. Each November, I crave a home-cooked meal with a succulent Butterball turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings. During my first year here, I looked high and low for somewhere to have an authentic Thanksgiving dinner. Alas, the pickings were slim. The American Club of Brussels coordinated a special dinner at the Brussels Marriott, an American hotel company. The chef was obviously not American and probably never had a Thanksgiving meal! Everything was wrong. The turkey and stuffing were dry, the cranberries tasted like they came from a can, and there was NO pumpkin pie. Sacrilege! It was so disappointing. I always tell my friends it’s hard to get a bad meal in Belgium. That evening proved me wrong.
The next year, I decided to take things into my own hands and produce my first-ever Thanksgiving dinner for friends from Belgium, England, the Netherlands and the U.S. A NATO friend brought a Butterball turkey from the American military store and I channeled my inner Julia Child. It was a veritable feast! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean salad and more. My attempt at a pumpkin pie was an epic fail, though. I swear the Philadelphia cream cheese we have in Belgium is different from what I used to use in New York.
Finding a Feast
For the past few years, I’ve been lucky. An English friend has invited me to her church’s annual Thanksgiving feast. They provide the turkey and beverages. This year, it was a Butterball. The locals didn’t realize how fabulous that was, but I certainly did! They certainly knew how to roast a turkey!
All Saints parishioners and guests bring all the side dishes. This year, there was pumpkin soup, every type of potato imaginable, veggies galore, breads, and even some Belgian specialties like “witloof,” or endive salad. My friend Felicity prepared some English dishes we don’t usually see in the U.S.: parsnips and cooked carrots with tomatoes. Everything was delicious.
I contributed a sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows and pecans. It was a hit, much to my surprise! I’m happy to share the recipe if anyone is interested. The dessert table was filled with delectable delights: apple pies and tarts, chocolate treats, and more. My waistline will probably be an inch larger tomorrow!
Family
For me, the heart of Thanksgiving is family. Living thousands of miles from mine makes the holiday less festive. But my best friend — who has hosted dozens of Thanksgiving dinners over the years — is bringing the party to Brussels. She and her daughter arrive on Thanksgiving day, so we can all celebrate together. It will be a vegan/pescatarian holiday, but that is okay. I already had my Butterball. If I can wrangle the recipe for the All Saints Church pumpkin soup, that may be added to the menu.
However you celebrate the holiday, take a minute to reflect on things for which you are thankful. My list is long.
Happy holiday. I wish you all peace, love, and happiness.
