Turkey - Cranberry - Stuffing

Turkey Combo

Take and informal survey on the street and you will see quickly that Thanksgiving is the people’s choice for favorite holiday. And why? The food, of course! The Thanksgiving table is replete with both comfort and culinary delights. Memory combines with flavor and each dish brings with it stories of gatherings past. Whether it is the way your family bakes sweet potatoes with miniature marshmallows, or the classic Green Bean Casserole, each dish packs an historic punch.

I would venture to say that in many families, certain dishes have become synonymous with the holiday itself. In my own family, we once forgot to make mashed potatoes. We were left feeling mournful and incomplete over the loss of our much-loved whipped and buttery mash.

For most however, it is the combination of Turkey, Cranberry, and Stuffing that sets the tone for the day. A sweet and savory fork, (held tines facing down to get the maximum surface area) packs high with juicy meat, moist dressing and a tangy sweet sauce. This is close to bliss. At my family’s table, it brings a collective, “Yum”, “Hmmmmm,” or, “Oh this is so good.”

This flavor combination that evokes such passion has shown up in eateries like Ashby’s Deli in Kennebunk, and the Wayfarer in Cape Porpoise, as a year round special. Purists can visit the Wayfarer on Wednesday evenings to fill their plates with home-cooked turkey and all the fixings. If it’s a seasonal twist you prefer, Ashby’s offers Turkey Cranberry and a Tarragon Mayo. Whichever you decide, both can satisfy in the off-season.