A CANADIAN THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving in Canada occurs the second weekend in October. It is a celebration of the harvest. A time to be thankful for the many blessings in one's life. Churches will have a cornucopia of fall vegetables and other symbols. People thinking about what they have in their lives to give thanks. For me- family is the main one!The traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served coast to coast. My festive meal will include the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, 2 types of squash- butternut and acorn, sweet potato, peas, beans, rapini, brussel sprouts, , Italian sausage and of course the favourite of everyone- the bread stuffing handed down through the generations. My appetizers will include prosciutto on bread sticks, cheese slices, cucumber slices, crackers, olives, pickled artichokes and cantaloupe slices. So the great Canadian tradition has incorporated a little Italian flavour! Wine, beer and other beverages of choice will be on the table. Dessert of pumpkin and apple pies with whipped cream or ice cream. Even some lemon  and butter tarts- very Canadian! The best thing is the leftovers the next day! Lots of cooking for one day but worth the effort. So what are you waiting for, get cooking!