Our Favorite Thanksgiving Treats
Chris, Employee Benefits Specialist: Warm Apple Pie
I love apple pie at Thanksgiving because it just feels like the holiday. The warm apples, cinnamon, and that buttery crust make the whole house smell amazing. One bite takes me right back to cozy family dinners, everyone hanging out in the kitchen, and the whole relaxed vibe of the day. Plus, nothing beats a warm slice of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—it's the perfect ending to Thanksgiving.
Glenn, Vice President of Research & Analysis: Pumpkin Cannolis
Our Thanksgiving meal is always centered around the Traditional Turkey with all of the trimmings. The meal expands to be a bit more eclectic to include Lasagna, Butternut Squash Tortelloni, Sushi, Potato Latkes, and many more dishes that change year to year.
But my favorite treat is a twist on a traditional Italian dessert, Cannolis. I really enjoy the Pumkin Cannolis that we get which combines something familiar with the flavors of the seasons.
Melanie, Employee Benefits Manager: Root Vegetable Gratin
Thanksgiving is such a special time in our house. We host our family every year and we look forward to 3 pm when everyone arrives.
We start the dinner with appetizers and then usually a homemade soup followed by the traditional Thanksgiving meal with tons of side dishes. One of my favorite side dishes to make (and eat!) is the root vegetable gratin. It’s loaded with fall root vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips, and celery root and then finished with heavy cream and Gruyère cheese. It’s comforting and delicious and because we only have it on Thanksgiving day I look forward to it each year!
Scott, President: Leftover Thanksgiving Sandwiches
During the month of November we have a decorative turkey where the feathers are all the things we are thankful for. On a daily basis, we each take a feather and a Sharpie and fill them in. At dinner, we pluck them from the turkey, read them aloud, and try and figure out who wrote them.
We really love all of the traditional foods but leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches top the list.
Cole, Client Services Specialist: Apple Pie & Vanilla Ice Cream
Thanksgiving is always a special time in our home, and we love gathering the whole family together each year. After the meal, my favorite moment is settling in to watch football with everyone while enjoying an extra slice of warm apple pie. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, and it’s the perfect way to end the holiday.
Wendy, Client Services Manager: Special Mashed Potatoes
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. In addition to Thanksgiving itself, we celebrate a number of family anniversaries and birthdays giving the holiday extra joy. We start the meal late afternoon, have an overload of appetizers and specialty drinks, and eat and drink and play games while watching football.
Although I love the appetizers and could make them my only dinner, my favorite part of the traditional meal is our family's mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are on most people’s tables, so this may not seem unique, but our holiday mashed potatoes are quite different. First, there is the secret ingredient of cream cheese. Second, it is the addition of extra heavy whipping cream. Third, it is the twice baking. Yum! These potatoes have a twice-baked crust with a creamy and delicious whipped texture that makes each bite delectable. We only have these mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving, as they are truly a treat, and they remain the one part of the meal that is on the table year after year, no matter how much our holiday has changed with the times.
Stacy, Chief Operating Officer: Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Our traditional family Thanksgiving begins at 11 am when all of our out-of-town family travel to be together. We begin with bagels and spreads, work up to appetizers, and then by 4 pm we’re eating our Thanksgiving meal.
My sweet and sour meatballs are a family favorite and of course, much to the annoyance of my three sons, there is always the obligatory family picture.