Thanksgiving Italian Style a Tradition Remembered a Lifetime
Not a Traditional Thanksgiving Meal It is if Your Doing it Italian Style
It's All About Giving Thanks, Family, and Lots of Food
Having been married with an Italian mother in law Thanksgiving would never be the same because along with giving thanks, it was all about family and more food than you could eat in a week. It was a tradition that she bestowed upon us that will be remembered a lifetime. How do I know? Because it’s been over 30 years and I can remember it like it was yesterday.
I was reading a great hub the other day on an Italian restaurant by one of my favorite writers which triggered memories of some of the best Thanksgivings ever. You should check out the hub especially if your anywhere near Houston, just click on great Italian restaurant.
Although I’m sure Thanksgivings are special no matter what nationality you are, those celebrated Italian style seem to be so memorable, (wow I actually couldn't find the right word to describe it). It was the day that no matter what your troubles were or grievances you had with someone they were set aside and everyone just really seemed to show that unconditional love and appreciation for one another. It wasn’t like there was a rule or anything set in stone, it was just something that felt right and seemed to come so naturally. Looking back it is something I wish we had done more often. There was no excuses, you never made other plans. You just knew that’s what you were doing and made sure you wore the right stretchy clothes so you could eat until you were ready to burst.
Enough Food for an Army
Of course when we think of Thanksgiving we almost always think of turkey and stuffing, pumpkin pie, etc. When your celebrating Italian style you not only have all the usual entrees and deserts, but a whole menu full of Italian cuisine fit for a king. I’m talking lasagna, antipasto, stuffed shells, meatballs (my favorite), bruschetta, eggplant parmigiana, pasta enough to fill the pool, cheeses, etc. It took this huge table plus part of the kitchen and another table to make room for all of the food she had prepared, and although we were allowed to help a little with the minor things, everything else from spicing to tossing was hands off.
Her husband use to tell us when she wasn't around to hear how she had been prepping food for a week and up all night just to make this one meal (that lasted all day) happen. Even when it wasn't a holiday she would get up at 5am to make sauce because she had to cook it for awhile, then sit so all the flavors could be absorbed, then simmer again. My husband at the time use to ask why I didn't get up at 5am to make him sauce. I told him if he wanted sauce at 5am he could get his butt up and make it himself or go visit mom. What's really ironic is now I get up at 5am sometimes to make dog food, and you wonder why that marriage didn't last .lol
What Matters Most
My point is that it was a day that no matter what lengths you had to go to for it to happen you did it without questioning it, or looking for excuses not to go. It was if that day for those few hours nothing else mattered but family, food and saying thanks
Does your family have one of those days? You know it doesn't have to be a holiday or Italian style. It can be anytime you want as long as the only thing that matters is your all together and for that day show unconditional love and appreciation for each other, and most of all say thanks. Try it, who knows you may end up like me and miss your mother in law more than your X (just kidding-I think)
Have an incredible day and talk to you soon.
