I read an article last week about popular Thanksgiving dishes from each of the 50 states. Now, I’ve lived in Oklahoma for 34 of my 36 years, so a good old Midwest Thanksgiving is all I know. The exceptions are the years we celebrated with family in Dallas, but that’s still pretty similar. In some ways.
Anyway, Oklahoma is known for the green bean casserole being the favorite Thanksgiving staple. Personally, I’m not a fan, because I can’t get excited about cream of mushroom soup or French fried onions. But it seems I’m the minority here. Fun fact: green bean casserole originated in 1955, thanks to the good folks at Campbell’s. If you’re looking for an updated version of the green bean casserole, check out this recipe!
“This version pays tribute to the classic but upgrades its components. The cream of mushroom soup is replaced with crème fraîche and sautéed mushrooms; bacon and Gruyère are added to the mix; fresh green beans stand in for frozen (though you could use frozen in a pinch); and bread crumbs swap in for the Ritz crackers.”
You know how I said I spent several Thanksgivings in Dallas? Well, the May family must not have been very traditional, because we certainly never had Turkey Tamales, which are listed as the official Texas dish.
It was fun reading the different popular dishes by state. For example, Alaskans feast on Russian Salmon Pie, which is pie crust filled with salmon, cabbage and rice. I’d rather eat green bean casserole than that. New Yorkers enjoy Double Apple Pie. (I can get behind that, too. Plus, it’s fruit, so you can still eat something else for dessert.)
West Virginians please their palates with PawPaw Pudding. It seems that pawpaw is some kind of fruit? It’s kind of tropical, which seems pretty un-Appalachian. I will need to ask my West Virginia friend about this one.
In Wyoming, locals enjoy Three Sisters Stew, which actually sounds pretty yummy. I like stew. It seems odd to eat stew on Thanksgiving. Then again, my sister’s husband’s family insists on homemade noodles and gravy on Turkey Day, so who is anyone to judge?
For an entire list of the state recipes (plus Puerto Rico and D.C), read the full article, courtesy of the New York Times. You’ll find such gems as Lucy Buffett’s Oyster Dressing and English Pea and Onion Salad. Note to self: Do not visit Ohio for Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!
-MCM Staffer Ashley,
who will stick to the basics.
And is still skipping the green bean casserole.
